Virginia Lt. Gov. candidate enlists AI to represent Dem opponent after she rejected debate offers

Conservative businessman and broadcaster John Reid enlisted the help of artificial intelligence to represent Democratic challenger Ghazala Hashmi in a mock debate for the 2025 lieutenant governor’s race.Reid, the Republican nominee from Richmond, challenged Hashmi, a state senator from Chesterfield, to a series of regional debates around Virginia. Reid noted Hashmi is the only candidate of the six running for statewide office to decline a debate.A representative for Reid ensured that the AI only envisaged Hashmi’s likeness and voice — and that of the moderator – and the responses given by the