Impact of Far-Right Agenda in German Election: Artificial Intelligence and Russian Manipulation
In the lead-up to the 2021 German Bundestag election, the battle against disinformation in the digital age intensified, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and informed citizenship. As voters prepared to cast their ballots, Russian disinformation campaigns were amplifying their messages through social media platforms, reaching a wide audience of unsuspecting users.
These campaigns, often using AI technology, produced images, memes, and music videos promoting narratives that attacked marginalized communities and glorified traditional German values. One such example is the Remigration Song, a music video advocating for the mass deportation of immigrants, produced using AI technology.
A notable instance of disinformation aimed at discrediting established parties and bolstering the far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party was a video falsely portraying Dr. Marcus Faber as a Russian spy.
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue's recent report revealed the use of generative AI by far-right supporters and the AfD party in Germany. This trend is not unique to Germany; Russian-based groups like "Doppelganger" and "Storm-1516" are implicated in spreading false narratives in both Germany and the United States.
In response to these threats, the European Union strengthened regulatory frameworks around digital and AI technologies. The Artificial Intelligence Act, which came into force, aims to regulate AI systems to mitigate misuse such as the spreading of disinformation. However, there remains debate about the effectiveness of these regulations, especially regarding AI systems classified as "high-risk" that may not require independent third-party conformity assessments.
The impact of online misinformation lies in its ability to influence domestic actors and shape public opinion. The 2021 German Bundestag election experienced notable challenges related to Russian disinformation, contributing to increased awareness about foreign interference in electoral processes within Europe.
The EU’s measures, including the Defence of Democracy Package and the European Democracy Shield, were partially a response to such influences, aiming to compel social media platforms to identify and remove content flagged as disinformation. This system, applied after experiences in Germany and Romania, showed only limited efficacy but represents a critical step in protecting national elections from foreign manipulation.
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly fraught with deceptive content, the need for vigilant media literacy and fact-checking has never been more critical. Larissa Wagner, an AI-generated social media influencer, is promoting far-right views in Germany, underscoring the potential for AI-generated influencers to shape public discourse.
According to Julia Smirnova of the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (CeMAS), these campaigns seek to create a constant stream of false stories to manipulate public opinion. As the fight against disinformation continues, journalists and researchers are working to expose the shadowy tactics of these campaigns and shed light on the pervasive threat they pose to democratic societies.
- The Remigration Song, an AI-generated music video advocating for mass deportation of immigrants, is a prime example of the disinformation campaigns that proliferate in the digital age during political events, such as the 2021 German Bundestag election.
- Disinformation campaigns, often employing AI technology, can be used to reinforce traditional values and attack marginalized communities, as seen in the widely disseminated Russian disinformation messages through social media platforms.
- In an attempt to discredit established parties, a false video was circulated, claiming that Dr. Marcus Faber was a Russian spy to bolster the far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party's support.
- The Institute for Strategic Dialogue's report revealed the use of generative AI by far-right supporters and the AfD party in Germany, echoing similar tactics employed by Russian-based groups like "Doppelganger" and "Storm-1516" in the United States.
- As a reaction to these disinformation threats, the European Union enacted the Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to regulate AI systems and mitigate misuse like the spreading of false narratives in national elections.
- The rapid evolution of online misinformation highlights the urgent need for media literacy and fact-checking. AI-generated social media influencers, such as Larissa Wagner, promote far-right views, illustrating the potential for these influencers to manipulate public discourse and gain followers unknowingly.
