The surfacing of an unusually smooth-faced politician in the UK sparked a fiery debate on social media last week. Mark Matlock, a candidate for right-wing populist party Reform UK, immediately raised suspicions with a profile picture that looked like it came straight out of a low-grade AI image generator. “Reform UK appear to have fielded a fake candidate made with AI, Mark Matlock,” one user tweeted. “Look at his hair, AI-generated. It is a crime to field fake candidates and must be investigated immediately.” “We might be on the verge of a HUGE SCANDAL,” another account wrote. “Suspicions have been raised that Reform have fielded election candidates that aren’t real people.” We might be on the verge of a HUGE SCANDAL. Suspicions have been raised that Reform have fielded election candidates that aren’t real people. Is there any evidence that Mark Matlock (candidate for Clapham & Brixton Hill) actually exists? He looks AI generated. pic.twitter.com/0wJcR4HZXG — Dr Bella (@Dr_BellaR) July 8, 2024 But Matlock has now come forward, insisting that his extremely photoshopped-looking visage is in fact real — at least to some extent. “I am a real person and that is me in the photo,” he told The Independent over the phone. “Though I must admit I am enjoying the free publicity and when I feel up to it I will put out a video and prove these rumors that I’m a robot are absolute baloney.” Adding to the drama, Matlock was unable to show up during the country’s…Political Candidate Accused of Being AI Insists He Is a Living Human With a Very Smooth, AI-Looking Face