What to Know
Political advertising is rarely kind to opponents, and politicians love to take cheap shots when they can. This isn’t limited to presidential elections or local government races; even school board campaigns can have a very ugly side. A California man running for school board reportedly used artificial intelligence to create a campaign ad smearing his opponent.
David Ray Miyashiro attempted a strange sexist-looking attack against Amy Flicker. He allegedly created an image of her surrounded by baked goods. Next to that photo was an image of him in a business suit. The flyer created intense backlash that’s likely the exact opposite of what Miyashiro hoped for.
Miyashiro and Flicker want the same seat on the school board.
According to KUSI, Miyashiro and Flicker both hope to win the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) Trustee Area 1 seat that Rimga Viskanta will vacate at the end of their term. Flicker worked as Encinitas planning and environmental commissioner in the past. Miyashiro currently serves as the superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District.
The San Dieguito Faculty Association issued a news release obtained by KUSI accusing Miyashiro of using AI for his flyer. The labor union, which represents more than 600 educators, stated the use of AI created “deceptive, sexist imagery to attack candidate Amy Flicker.”
The flyer had stark differences.
On the left side, Flicker, whom the San Dieguito Faculty Association edorses, stands by a table of baked goods. The words on her picture read “Non-profit volunteer.” On the opposite side, we see Miyashiro at a desk with a microphone and the words “District superintendent.”
The bottom of the flyer reads, “Who is more qualified to be a school board trustee in San Dieguito?” At the top, in bold capital letters, the flyer states, “The choice is obvious.”
California does not allow AI political advertising without proper disclosure.
California lawmakers passed a bill in 2024 that requires “specified disclosure that the advertisement was generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence, as defined.”
Flicker claimed in a news release obtained by KUSI that Miyashiro is not only refusing to abide by the rules, but is using his sex as a way to assert dominance.
“Using AI technology to manipulate the likeness of a female candidate and diminish my public service into a condescending stereotype is both ethically dubious and deeply concerning for someone seeking a position in educational leadership,” Flicker said in the news release. “Our school district should be modeling digital citizenship, integrity, and media literacy for our students—not using generative AI tools to mislead voters and target female leaders.”
According to Miyashiro’s LinkedIn profile, he’s all about collaboration and working together, with no mention of AI.
“I excel in fostering collaboration, building strategic alliances, and aligning resources to achieve shared objectives. My expertise in instructional leadership, fiscal management, and educational technology positions me as a valuable asset in driving any institution’s success. Let’s connect. Together, we can embark on a journey of innovation, excellence, and unparalleled student success,” he writes.
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