The UK politician accused of being AI is actually a real person
Who is Mark Matlock?
Mark Matlock is a political candidate who ran for the right-wing Reform UK party in the Clapham and Brixton Hill constituency1. He faced accusations of being an AI-generated candidate due to his absence from campaign events and an AI-like photo of himself in campaign materials. Matlock clarified in The Independent that he is a real person and was ill with pneumonia during the election.
What party does Mark Matlock represent?
Mark Matlock represents the right-wing Reform UK party. He clarified in The Independent that he is a real person, not an AI bot, as some had suspected due to a digitally altered campaign image1. Matlock stood as the party's candidate in the constituency of Clapham and Brixton Hill, south-west London, in the general election.
Why did some suspect Matlock was an AI bot?
Some suspected Matlock was an AI bot due to his glossy profile picture, which appeared computer-generated, and his absence from election night events and hustings. The speculation was fueled by online rumors and the fact that some Reform UK candidates had minimal online presence.