Western Intelligence Agencies Seize Control of Russian Propaganda Mill Using AI on Social Network X

Title: US and Allies Seize Control of Russian Propaganda Mill Using AI on Social Network X

In a groundbreaking move, the United States and several allies announced on Tuesday that they had taken control of a sophisticated Russian propaganda operation that utilized artificial intelligence to manage nearly a thousand covert accounts on the social network X.

This takedown is particularly significant as it was traced back to an officer of the Russian FSB intelligence force and a former senior editor at the state-controlled publication RT. The joint effort by agencies in the US, Netherlands, and Canada revealed the various software programs used to run the network, including one called Meliorator, which created fake users known as “souls” in different countries.

FBI Director Christopher A. Wray stated, “Today’s actions represent a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored Generative AI-enhanced social media bot farm.” The operation aimed to spread AI-generated foreign disinformation to undermine partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives in favor of the Russian government.

The system evaded X’s verification techniques by automatically copying one-time passcodes sent to registered email addresses. References to Facebook and Instagram in the program code indicated plans to expand to those platforms.

The agencies recommended that social media companies enhance their methods for detecting covert automated behavior. X complied with a court order to provide information on the accounts to the FBI and subsequently deleted them.

The Justice Department expressed gratitude to X for its cooperation during the investigation, signaling improved communication between the government and major social media platforms. Researchers highlighted the detailed information shared by the countries to assist other investigators and companies in identifying similar operations.

While AI has enabled Russian propagandists to scale their efforts and evade detection software, experts warn that many other systems are already in operation and will continue to evolve. John Scott-Railton from the Citizen Lab emphasized the ongoing challenge of combating such disinformation campaigns, stating, “This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg. This is the drip of the iceberg.”