AI-Generated Videos Shape Beijing’s Propaganda Efforts: A Look at the Fractured America Series

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping propaganda efforts is becoming increasingly prevalent, with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN releasing a series of AI-generated videos that paint a bleak picture of the United States. The videos, part of the A Fractured America series, highlight issues such as drug addiction, wealth inequality, and political unrest, all set against a backdrop of a declining American Dream.

These videos, while not attempting to pass off as genuine, showcase the power of AI in creating high-quality multimedia content quickly and at a low cost. With the ability to generate images, animate them, and even create human-sounding text-to-speech, AI is revolutionizing content creation and propaganda dissemination.

China’s use of AI-generated content for influence campaigns is not limited to the United States. Taiwan, a frequent target of Beijing’s influence operations, has also experienced the spread of deepfake videos and audio during its recent presidential election. The use of AI in spreading misinformation at scale poses a significant challenge for democracies around the world, including the upcoming elections in more than 60 countries.

As AI technology continues to advance, the threat of AI-generated content and astroturfing in elections looms large. The ability to create convincing deepfakes and manipulate audio poses a new challenge for governments and organizations tasked with combating misinformation and foreign interference. With the proliferation of AI-generated content, distinguishing between fact and fiction becomes increasingly difficult, raising concerns about the integrity of democratic processes worldwide.