The latest Partisan Deep Dive explored how OpenAI’s Sora 2 could transform political storytelling and campaigning. Featuring Sebastian Rodriguez (European Campaign Playbook) and moderated by Josef Lentsch (Partisan), the session unpacked what this new generation of generative video tools means for political professionals—technically, strategically, and ethically.

From text to storytelling

Sora 2 moves beyond “text to video.” As Sebastian put it, “Sora is text to storytelling.” Unlike earlier models such as Runway or Pika, Sora can generate multi-shot, physics-aware video sequences that stay consistent across scenes. It can even integrate real people through short “cameo” clips, allowing anyone—from a campaign staffer to a candidate—to appear in AI-generated footage.

This technical leap means that video creation, once the domain of professional studios, is being democratised. Political teams no longer need large production budgets to craft compelling visual narratives.

The decentralisation effect

Sebastian argued that Sora 2 could accelerate a shift towards decentralised campaigning. Hierarchical parties risk falling behind if they can’t adapt to a world where activists and supporters can generate on-message content themselves.

“If your organisation isn’t ready to lose some control, you’ll be sidelined."

Instead of tightly managed top-down strategies, he encouraged building “prompt libraries” that grassroots campaigners can use to produce authentic, localised videos that reflect their communities’ voices.

Early political uses

Campaigns are already experimenting. In Spain, AI-generated videos have been used to mock government figures, parodying public statements through humour and satire. In France, viral clips featuring President Macron in fictionalised settings are shaping cultural commentary within hours of political events.

Sebastian called this “memes on steroids”—a new layer of political communication that can both engage and provoke. Used well, it can humanise messages and mobilise supporters; used carelessly, it risks misinformation and reputational damage.

Ethics, transparency, and trust

Participants raised concerns about data, deepfakes, and the sheer volume of synthetic content online. Sebastian noted that transparency and clear boundaries are crucial: campaigns should publish prompt libraries, avoid discriminatory or inflammatory content, and communicate openly with media and regulators.

“You can’t eliminate risk, but you can manage it through clarity and consistency."

He also emphasised that while AI tools multiply output, the human role—creativity, humour, and cultural awareness—remains decisive in reaching audiences meaningfully.

Preparing for 2026

For campaign professionals, the message was practical:

• Train teams on prompting, ethical guidelines, and responsible experimentation.

• Create internal libraries of approved prompts and assets.

• Pilot AI projects that enhance capacity without losing oversight.

• Invest in personalisation—segment newsletters, tailor content, and test micro-formats.

“AI won’t replace campaigners, but campaigners using AI will outpace those who don’t.”

👉 The session spotlighted a clear trend: Sora 2 and similar tools are no longer theoretical. They’re entering the political tech stack—now. The challenge for political organisations is not whether to use them, but how to use them responsibly to inform, engage, and build trust in an age where the line between real and synthetic storytelling is vanishing.