Researchers Expose Coordinated Chinese Propaganda Campaign Using AI to Influence YouTube Audiences
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China is using AI to generate pro-China, anti-US propaganda videos on YouTube, flooding the platform with coordinated inauthentic content. Over 30 channels identified as part of "Shadow Play" network.
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Campaign launched in mid-2022 to shift English-speaking audiences' views on China's technology, infrastructure, etc. Garnered 120 million views and 730,000 subscribers so far.
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Uses AI-generated voices and entities, tracing content back to Chinese state-controlled media stories. Likely state-directed, delivered by contractor or "patriotic" company.
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Seeking to infiltrate ideological systems of Western countries, responding to Xi Jinping's call to "tell good stories about China." Savings on time and resources, hard to trace.
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Researchers call for greater transparency from governments on Chinese influence campaigns to strengthen democratic resilience, and tighter rules around disclosing use of generative AI.