Islamabad: Technology came to the rescue of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who launched the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) poll campaign using his Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice clone to address the party rally Sunday December 17, 2023.
Imran Khan’s AI generated address received close to 2 million views on YouTube within hours, and hundreds of thousands of likes and views on X and other social media platforms.
Imran Khan's speech was generated from text he had written from the prison and had approved by his lawyers, the PTI said.
According to The Guardian, Imran Khan sent PTI a shorthand script, which was later edited by his legal team to better resemble former Pakistani premier's rhetorical style.
The final text was then dubbed into audio using software from ElevenLabs, the AI company which makes a text-to-speech tool and an AI voice generator.
The images used in Imran Khan's virtual address contained both real photos and videos, as well as stock images and computer generated pictures of Imran Khan showing him behind bars and reading the Holy Quran.
In a little over 4-minute address, Imran Khan, who is languishing in jail facing multiple charges, asked his supporters to come out in a large number to vote on February 08, 2023.
Founding Chairman Imran Khan's speech in AI voice. Can't stop praising Dr Asma for staying up 36 hours to get this done in time, Nausheen for translations and Intazar Bhai for getting notes from the Legend Imran Khan! #PTIVirtualJalsa pic.twitter.com/9CoDVT4sXb— Jibran Ilyas (@agentjay2009) December 17, 2023
Founding Chairman Imran Khan's speech in AI voice. Can't stop praising Dr Asma for staying up 36 hours to get this done in time, Nausheen for translations and Intazar Bhai for getting notes from the Legend Imran Khan! #PTIVirtualJalsa pic.twitter.com/9CoDVT4sXb
The cricketer-turned-politician described in brief how he is spending his days and nights in the prison.
"Maybe you all are wondering how I am doing in jail. Today, my determination for real freedom is very strong." “I am reading Holy Quran and books on the Seerah of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). Reading them is not only refreshing, but they are also source of strength for me in the prison”, he said addressing the virtual rally of the PTI.
"Maybe you all are wondering how I am doing in jail. Today, my determination for real freedom is very strong."
“I am reading Holy Quran and books on the Seerah of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). Reading them is not only refreshing, but they are also source of strength for me in the prison”, he said addressing the virtual rally of the PTI.
The PTI online meeting was marred by frequent internet disruption forcing the telecom regulators to issue explanation. The former Pakistan Prime Minister however thanked his social media team for the efforts to make the virtual rally a grand success.
Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in jail on August 05, 2023 for not declaring money earned from selling gifts he received during his time in office from 2018-2022. As a result of the conviction, he has been barred from contesting an election for five years.
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