What happened
Axios reports that Kansas and Missouri currently have no laws requiring campaigns to disclose the use of AI in political advertisements. The outlet cites data from the Wesleyan Media Project showing that 10 AI-generated ads aired in Kansas and three in Missouri through October 11, 2026. These ads appeared in races including the U.S. Senate, Kansas Attorney General, and Missouri House. While previous legislative attempts in both states to mandate AI disclosure or ban deepfakes have stalled or failed to pass, state officials indicate an intent to reconsider these requirements when lawmakers return in January.
Axios reports that Kansas and Missouri are among 19 U.S. states that do not regulate AI-generated political ads. The outlet notes that these ads have already appeared in various races, including the U.S. Senate, the Kansas Attorney General race, and a Missouri House race.
According to data from the Wesleyan Media Project shared with Axios, 10 AI-generated ads were tracked in Kansas and three in Missouri through October 11, 2026. The project estimates that approximately $7 million was spent on the Kansas ads and $1.5 million on the Missouri ads.
Specific examples include an AI-generated ad in Kansas' U.S. Senate race from the Senate Leadership Fund and AI-generated images of Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton used by Republican Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign and a supporting super PAC. Hamilton's campaign stated it used an AI voice-over in one Meta ad but supports a federal law requiring AI disclosure.
In Kansas, a 2024 bill aimed at prohibiting undisclosed AI depictions of candidates stalled in the House. The Kansas secretary of state's office testified in favor of such a bill and indicated support for similar legislation. In Missouri, bills filed in 2025 and 2026 to require AI disclaimers did not become law, and the Missouri Ethics Commission confirmed the state has no current law on AI in campaign ads.
Why it matters
The absence of disclosure rules in these states creates a regulatory gap that allows AI-generated political content to reach voters without mandatory identification. This lack of transparency complicates voter verification efforts and may influence election outcomes in jurisdictions where AI ads are already being deployed at scale. The situation highlights a broader national inconsistency, as only a fraction of states currently enforce specific AI ad disclosure mandates, leaving many voters without legal protections against synthetic media manipulation in local and federal races.
The lack of disclosure requirements means voters in Kansas and Missouri cannot rely on legal mandates to identify synthetic media in political advertisements. This opacity is significant given the documented spending and deployment of AI ads in these states.
The situation underscores a fragmented regulatory landscape in the U.S., where 27 states require some form of disclosure and four ban certain deepfakes, but no federal law specifically regulates AI in political ads. This inconsistency may lead to uneven voter protection across the country.
The use of AI in high-profile races, such as the U.S. Senate, suggests that synthetic media is becoming a standard tool in political campaigning, increasing the urgency for clear disclosure standards to maintain electoral integrity.
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What to watch next
Monitor legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri starting in January for the reintroduction of AI disclosure bills. Watch for potential federal legislative action, as state campaigns are increasingly calling for a uniform national standard. Additionally, track the Wesleyan Media Project’s ongoing data for increases in the volume or spending on AI-generated ads in other unregulated states.
Lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri are expected to return in January, with the secretary of state and Sen. Joe Nicola expressing intent to reconsider AI disclosure requirements. The outcome of these legislative efforts will determine if these states join the majority in regulating AI ads.
The Wesleyan Media Project’s data indicates a national trend, with $137 million spent on 220 AI-generated ads through October 11. Monitoring this trend in other unregulated states may reveal broader patterns of AI adoption in political advertising.
Federal legislative developments may also impact state-level actions, as campaigns like Hamilton’s are advocating for a federal law to standardize AI disclosure requirements across all states.