How an AI Dehaene Changed CD&V's Political Campaign
Brussel, maandag, 8 december 2025.
In an unexpected turn for political communication, CD&V has brought former Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene back into the public debate—but this time through artificial intelligence. An AI-generated version of Dehaene, based on 43 hours of video and 12 hours of audio archive, delivers in a new campaign video: ‘The future is not a different politics—the future is a different way of living together’. Most striking? The technology reproduces Dehaene’s voice and gestures with such precision that even his iconic cowboy hat gesture appears authentic. Inspired by his legendary ride on a mechanical bull in Texas, the campaign is now also promoting an auction—where proceeds will go to De Warmste Week. But it also raises a crucial question: how do we still recognise what is real in an era of perfect digital imitation?
A voice from the past, generated by AI
On Monday, 8 December 2025, CD&V launched a campaign video that redefines the boundaries of political communication. In the video, an AI-generated recreation of former Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene promotes the party’s platform with the statement: ‘The future is not a different politics—the future is a different way of living together’ [2]. This digital recreation is based on a combination of 43 hours of known video recordings, 12 hours of audio archive, and advanced generative AI models, including Stable Video 3.0 and Whisper-Transcript [2]. The technology produces an accurate imitation of Dehaene’s voice, facial expressions, and movements, including the distinctive gesture with the cowboy hat, referencing his legendary ride on a mechanical bull in Texas in 1995 [2][1]. CD&V stresses that the aim is not to replace Dehaene, but to revoice his perspective for a contemporary political message [2].
From legend to legacy: the auction of an iconic hat
The campaign video is not only a political tool but also a means to promote an auction. Jong CD&V is auctioning the actual cowboy hat worn by Dehaene during his Texas ride, with all proceeds directed to De Warmste Week [1]. The hat was donated to the youth wing by the Dehaene family and is one of the most recognisable symbols in recent Belgian political history [1]. The auction begins on 8 December 2025 via 2dehands.be, and Jong CD&V chair Bram Van Hecke describes it as a unique opportunity for political collectors, though he refrains from predicting the potential outcome [1]. The current market value of the hat remains unclear, but the goal is clear: to raise a few thousand euros, with any amount below a thousand considered a disappointment [1]. Thus, the AI-generated Dehaene in the video serves not only as propaganda but also as a visual catalyst to strengthen the auction and keep the memory of a legend alive [2].
The ethical dilemmas of digital reproduction in politics
Using AI to resurrect a deceased political figure raises serious ethical concerns. Dr. Lina Van den Berg, ethicist at KU Leuven, describes the campaign as ‘a dangerous precedent in political information’ [2]. She warns that creating convincing digital imitations of public figures—especially after their death—undermines the line between fact and fiction and risks eroding trust in democratic communication [2]. There is currently no clear legal framework governing how AI-generated content of deceased figures may be used, and the Belgian Media Authority (ABM) has scheduled an evaluation of the campaign for 10 December 2025, five days after the article’s publication date [2]. The outcome of this assessment will be decisive for the future use of such technologies in Belgian political communication [2]. Until then, the legal and ethical status of the AI Dehaene remains uncertain [alert! ‘No legal guidelines available regarding use of AI-generated deceased political figures in campaign material’].
Practical tips for readers to spot fake news
In an era where AI imitations of public figures are so realistic that even experts can doubt their authenticity, media literacy is essential. First: verify the source. When encountering a video or audio clip from an old political campaign, ask whether the source is official and whether the video comes directly from a party website or a trusted news outlet [2]. Second: watch for unnatural movements. Although AI technology continuously improves, minor errors in eye movement, lip sync, or timing can signal that the content is fabricated [2]. Third: seek the original source. If a quote is attributed to Jean-Luc Dehaene, search for the original video or transcript from the period when he was still active [1]. Fourth: use tools such as reverse image search or audio fingerprinting to verify whether an image or audio fragment has appeared elsewhere before [2]. Fifth: be sceptical of emotional or shocking statements that seem to align with a particular political agenda, especially when they come from a deceased figure [2]. It is crucial not only to believe what you see, but to ask: who made this, why, and what is the evidence [2].