School board candidate forced to delete campaign photo after followers spot glaring 'mistake'

A Florida school board candidate has raised eyebrows after allegedly using AI to create fake supporters in a campaign photo. 

Clarence James, a candidate for Duval County School Board District in Jacksonville, faced an onslaught of criticism after sharing a series of Facebook posts on May 26, promoting a community fish frying event linked to his campaign.

Intending to garner praise, the post sought to highlight the local engagement at church gatherings. 

However, one particular promotional image swiftly began to draw scrutiny as it circulated online.

The image portrays James, who is white, standing alongside two men in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd made up of predominantly black attendees.

At first glance, it resembles a typical campaign photo, yet upon closer inspection, several inconsistencies began to cast doubt over the authenticity of the image. 

Eagle-eyed observers emphasized distorted facial features, blurred and uneven expressions and unnatural lighting across the crowd.

Whilst others noted what seemed to be anatomical errors with the image, including a figure displaying a warped foot amongst other strange looking limbs, adding to suspicions.

A closer examination suggests the crowd scene did not resemble reality and had likely been generated using artificial intelligence image tools.

James wrote in the caption of the post: 'Over the weekend, attended a very successful district fish fry with my good friends Reverend Williams and Dr. Vance Ross and their congregations!'

'I also put my campaign staff to work ensuring every S'more had chocolate on it and helped roasting marshmallows and volunteering!

'If this campaign was running on taste buds, we'd have won a lifetime ago! I am blessed to have a great team, and a team who enjoys food as much as politics. Don't even get my team started about chili cook-off's!

'When you connect with the voters about literacy rates, the budget, and keeping students safe, the community wins!

'I will always continue to work for everyone and ensure our students get the best education possible. Thank you Reverend for your support, and we will keep working!'

Action Jax reporter Deja Mayfield left a comment under the post also questioning its sincerity.

Shortly after, the post was removed from James's platform and replaced with a vastly different photo that did not include the same crowd scene.

James has not publicly addressed the allegations since.

The Daily Mail has reached out to both James and the Duval County School Board for comment on the controversy.

This incident has ignited fierce debate about the use of AI generated content in local elections, particularly where it may influence perceptions of real support.

Florida introduced legislation in 2024 aimed at the regulation of deceptive AI political content, including using certain forms of manipulated media used to mislead voters.

'The bill requires a political advertisement, electioneering communication, or other miscellaneous advertisement of a political nature created in whole or in part with the use of generative AI to bear a disclaimer' Florida Senate states.

However it has yet to be announced whether this specific image falls within the scope of those rules.

James's blunder highlights wider concerns facing global elections as regulators struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technology.

According to a recent Forbes review, between 2023 and 2030 AI has an expected growth rate of 36.6 percent.

Critics argue that even while not explicitly illegal, the use of fabricated crowd scenes can raise serious ethical questions about transparency and voter trust.