U.S. and Allies Dismantle Russian AI-Driven Propaganda Network on Social Media

The United States and its allies successfully seized control of a sophisticated Russian propaganda network using AI on social network X.

The network operated nearly a thousand covert accounts and was traced back to a Russian FSB officer and a former RT senior editor.

Various software programs, including one named Meliorator, were used to manage the network.

The FBI obtained a court order to seize two web domains involved in the operation.

The bot farm spread disinformation to undermine Ukraine and evaded X’s verification techniques, with plans to expand to Facebook and Instagram.

X cooperated with the FBI by providing information and deleting the accounts.

Social media companies were advised to improve detection methods for covert automated behavior.

Detailed information from the investigation aims to help other investigators and companies identify similar operations.

The use of AI has allowed Russian propagandists to scale operations and avoid detection, but experts warn more systems are likely in operation and will continue to adapt.