Description: A network of five Nigeria-based YouTube channels reportedly drew millions of views while purportedly amplifying Kremlin-aligned narratives. The channels allegedly used AI-generated anchors and synthetic voiceovers to present repurposed interviews with pro-Russian commentators Scott Ritter and Douglas Macgregor. Attribution of the network's motives and funding remains uncertain, with reported possibilities ranging from freelance monetization to proxy involvement in influence operations.
Entities
View all entitiesAlleged: Unknown AI-generated avatar/anchor technology developer , Unknown deepfake technology developers and Unknown voice cloning technology developers developed an AI system deployed by Unverified Kremlin proxy involvement , Possible third-party contractors , Nigerian YouTube network operators (A, B, C) , @Peace-Crusader YouTube channel , @GloryinCombat YouTube channel , @freshinfoinsight YouTube channel , @DaddyMaxwell77 YouTube channel and @conflictcompas YouTube channel, which harmed YouTube viewers , YouTube's platform , United States , Ukraine , Truth , Israel , General public , European Union , Epistemic integrity , Democracy and National security and intelligence stakeholders.
Alleged implicated AI systems: YouTube , Unknown voice cloning technology , Unknown deepfake technology and AI-generated avatar/anchor technology
Incident Stats
Risk Subdomain
A further 23 subdomains create an accessible and understandable classification of hazards and harms associated with AI
4.1. Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
Risk Domain
The Domain Taxonomy of AI Risks classifies risks into seven AI risk domains: (1) Discrimination & toxicity, (2) Privacy & security, (3) Misinformation, (4) Malicious actors & misuse, (5) Human-computer interaction, (6) Socioeconomic & environmental harms, and (7) AI system safety, failures & limitations.
- Malicious Actors & Misuse
Entity
Which, if any, entity is presented as the main cause of the risk
AI
Timing
The stage in the AI lifecycle at which the risk is presented as occurring
Post-deployment
Intent
Whether the risk is presented as occurring as an expected or unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal
Intentional
Incident Reports
Reports Timeline
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Welcome to a special post on Memetic Warfare from Max Lesser on a pro-Russia YouTube network below.
My name is Max Lesser, and I work with Ari at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. One of my fantastic former interns, Meera, and I re…
Variants
A "variant" is an AI incident similar to a known case—it has the same causes, harms, and AI system. Instead of listing it separately, we group it under the first reported incident. Unlike other incidents, variants do not need to have been reported outside the AIID. Learn more from the research paper.
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