Likud in advanced talks to use AI bots that mimic Netanyahu for campaign calls

Likud is in advanced talks with an AI company about automated calls to potential voters, according to a report in Israel Hayom. The system would call people, encourage them to vote for Likud, and let them hold a conversation with a bot that sounds like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The idea is intended to push turnout and vote choice through interactive voice technology.

Likud figures quoted in the report said the plan is a very bad decision. One party source said, “People will not connect with a bot that calls them. Even if it is Netanyahu. Once we used to meet Netanyahu in the market. Today we will get him in a robot.” A legal source said there is no legal obstacle as long as it is clear that Netanyahu himself is not making the call, because otherwise it could amount to deception.

The report also cited the latest seat projection from Israel Hayom and Kantar, which still shows Likud as the largest party with 24 seats. For the first time since he formed a party and after a steady rise, Gadi Eisenkot is at 20 seats this week in the same poll.

That result makes the Bennett and Lapid “Together” party the second-largest in the center-left bloc with 19 seats, down three from the previous poll. Eisenkot is also taking one seat from Netanyahu, according to the survey.