The Mayor of Gloucester criticises ‘online stunts’ after a fake, AI-generated video was published amid a row over the city’s finances.

The video, made by Gloucester City Council councillor Alastair Chambers, appeared to show Mayor Ashley Bowkett saying he would not allow councillors to investigate the ‘missing £8m’ before laughing.

The incident occurred following a disagreement over when to hold a meeting to discuss the council’s strained finances.

‘Unfortunately, an AI-generated video and other online material have led a fair number of people to believe that I refused a public debate. That is simply untrue and is contradicted by the written correspondence between myself and group leaders, some of which was unbecoming of anyone elected to public office,’ said Mayor Bowkett.

‘I am always willing to respond to reasoned argument and honest disagreement, but I will not be swayed by veiled threats, online stunts or fabricated versions of events.’

In a statement Cllr Chambers argued that the mayor initially refused the meeting by email 'blocking a democratic and transparent investigation into one of the biggest financial failures in Gloucester City Council’s history.'

'To show the public exactly what was happening behind closed doors, I used AI technology to recreate the mayor’s refusal — the refusal he sent to councillors by email but hoped the public wouldn’t see. I used modern tools to shine a light where others preferred darkness,' he said.

'Within hours of me posting the AI video online, the mayor suddenly reversed his decision and approved the special investigation meeting.'

Check out: 10 Ways Councils Are Using AI to Transform Public Services.