The Venezuelan government has a long history of censorship and propaganda, and they have recently added a new weapon to their arsenal: AI-generated propaganda. The state-owned television station “VTV” is using computer-generated avatars to spread positive news about the country through a YouTube channel called “House of News.” These avatars are entirely fake and created by London-based AI company “Synthesia.”
AI-Generated Avatars Instead of News Anchors
The videos featured on “House of News” feature avatars named Daren and Noah, who report favorably on events in Venezuela such as the Caribbean Series baseball tournament and the tourism industry.
While these videos have gained nearly 716,000 views, the AI-generated avatars use peculiar grammar and lag in their speech, making it evident that they are not real people.
The themes of the House of News videos promote a narrative suggesting that Venezuela no longer has any problems. The avatars claim that the country is one of the most visited destinations in Latin America, echoing President Nicolás Maduro's recent claim that tourism is the "secret weapon" to "economic rebirth."
According to what researchers told The Washington Post, the government's use of AI-generated propaganda is part of its wider disinformation campaign, which includes motivating Twitter users to tweet about specific topics and using bots to replicate and propagate the regime's narratives.
Venezuela’s Twitter "Army"
According to investigations by “IPYS Venezuela,” an organization that promotes free speech, the government approved a project in 2017 to create "armies of trolls of the Venezuelan revolution." The “armies” in question are part of a larger trend that aims at the weaponization of information. They are made up of thousands of individuals who are trained to spread false information, with the aim of sowing confusion and disarray among the enemy ranks.
Foreign Influence and the Spread of Disinformation
The utilization of social media manipulation within Venezuela extends beyond the country. In 2020, a U.S-based intelligence firm known as “Nisos” revealed a Venezuelan operation that sought to influence the social media discourse surrounding Colombia's presidential elections. The operation involved several accounts that supported Gustavo Petro, a close ally of Maduro, while simultaneously disseminating Russian disinformation.
What is AI Imagery and CGI?
AI imagery and CGI (computer-generated imagery) are two technologies that are rapidly advancing. AI imagery involves the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to create or manipulate images. It can be used to create entirely new images or to modify existing ones.
CGI, on the other hand, involves the use of computer graphics to create images or animations. Both of these technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and their use is expanding rapidly.
These technologies can be used to create images or videos that are indistinguishable from real footage. This makes it easy for individuals or organizations to spread false information and manipulate public opinion. For example, a video of a politician saying something they never actually said could be created using AI imagery or CGI, and then spread online as if it were real.
Misbar’s team has debunked several similar videos that either manipulated the audio of videos or the imagery itself to spread misinformation.
The implications of this trend are significant. False information can be used to sway public opinion and influence political outcomes. It can also be used to discredit individuals or organizations. In the case of earthquakes or other natural disasters, similar visual misinformation can be used to scam people or to promote conspiracy theories.
For example, an image which Misbar found to be an AI image, was later used to scam people after the Turkey-Syria earthquakes.
Moreover, several edited or CGI videos were used to promote conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated theories of an alien invasion.
The Ethics of AI Imagery and CGI
The use of AI imagery and CGI to spread misinformation raises ethical concerns. While these technologies have legitimate uses, their potential for misuse is significant.
As a result, there is a need to establish ethical guidelines for the use of AI imagery and CGI. These guidelines should address issues such as the authenticity of images and videos, the use of these technologies in political campaigns, and the potential harm that could result from their use as real images, especially during times of unrest or natural disasters.
Moreover, it is utterly important for social media platforms to cooperate with independent fact-checkers.
Misbar’s Sources:
