Expert discusses the midterm elections and the roles that AI plays
As the United States midterm elections approach, AI policy looms large, adding new uncertainties to a rapidly evolving campaign season. Political communications expert Cayce Myers provided analysis of the stakes in the upcoming election and the ways AI could affect campaigns and voters.
Heading into the midterms, what concerns U.S. political parties the most?
“The midterm elections for 2026 will be consequential, as they determine the success of the last two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. The focus is on the House of Representatives because of the razor-thin Republican majority there, but there are increasing levels of interest in the Senate races as they tighten,” Myers said.
“The economy will be a major factor driving votes, especially as the costs of both gas and diesel have caused prices to rise overall. While unemployment remains low, voters likely feel they are paying more, while their incomes have not kept pace with inflation. Traditionally, midterms are a referendum on the incumbent president, and given the war in Iran, the Fed’s recent rate increase, and the cost of living, Republicans face many challenges. However, they are hoping to reshape the narrative on the U.S. economy and also to tie Democrats in more competitive races with far-left progressive political figures, such as those promoted by democratic socialists,” he said.
How do issues surrounding AI technology factor into the election?
“Data centers, slowdowns of AI development, and fears that AI will disrupt society at large have created a political issue that unites Republicans and Democrats. One of the biggest issues is balancing regulation with a pro-growth AI economy that maintains the U.S. position as a global leader. Perceptions of the economy play into this issue, as increased utility costs have made voters hyper-aware of their own budgeting issues compared to AI companies that receive tax and other incentives. It is likely that AI, utilities, and taxation will become major talking points for candidates, especially in Virginia, where data centers remain an important yet highly divisive topic,” Myers said.
“AI remains a political tool as well, as many voters get news from AI chatbots. The 2026 midterms may be an election in which we see the first evidence of chatbots as voter influencers. There is also the growing use of AI-generated political ads, which provide high-quality, low-cost promotions during campaigns. These ads sometimes use deepfake technology to create hyper-realistic, sometimes absurd ads that gain voter attention. While there are state level requirements for the use of these ads, there is still no comprehensive regulation over political advertising made with AI. This is complicated by the fact that many ads may not be from campaigns or organizations at all, but individual users seeking to express political opinions protected under the First Amendment,” he said.
About Myers
Cayce Myers is the director of graduate studies and professor at the School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. His work focuses on legal issues affecting communication practice, and he has recently published on issues related to social media liability and artificial intelligence regulation. He specializes in media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice.
Schedule an interview
To interview Myers about the midterm elections and the impact of AI, contact the Virginia Tech Media Relations Office at mediarelations@vt.edu.
