Investigation Reveals Israel’s AI Bots Argue With Online Critics
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11/24/2024 (Sun) 12:33
Id: dcfc97
No.23170
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In recent months, reports have surfaced that Israel is deploying artificial intelligence not only on the battlefield in Gaza but also online, where the goal is to influence public opinion through social media bots spreading disinformation. Israel has a long history of using social media for propaganda, whether by working with tech companies to flag pro-Palestine content or by mobilizing troll armies to support its narrative. With the advent of AI, Israel has found new methods to shape public opinion in its favor, employing AI-driven social media accounts to “debunk” allegations against the state. Nour Naim, a Palestinian AI researcher, has observed this shift firsthand. “From day one, I have encountered a troubling number of fake accounts disseminating Israeli propaganda,” Naim told MintPress News. “These accounts, functioning as digital trolls, systematically attempt to either discredit well-documented evidence of the genocide in Gaza—backed by audio and video proof—or distort the facts altogether.”
Israel’s AI Troll Army
Israel has long used social media to manage its image with great effect. It collaborates with tech firms to flag pro-Palestinian content and employs coordinated online groups to quell online criticism. But now, AI offers new tools for influence. MintPress News has identified several accounts operating under names like Fact Finder (@FactFinder_AI), X Truth Bot (@XTruth_bot and @xTruth_zzz), Europe Invasion (@EuropeInvasionn), Robin (@Robiiin_Hoodx), Eli Afriat (@EliAfriatISR), AMIRAN (@Amiran_Zizovi), and Adel Mnasa (@AdelMnasa96892). Each account appears designed to “debunk” criticisms and circulate a streamlined pro-Israel perspective.
The first three accounts do not mention Israel in their bios, but most of their posts exhibit clear signs of pro-Israel propaganda.
Fact Finder’s bio states: “Empowering #SmartConversations with AI-driven facts. Countering misinformation with knowledge, not censorship, one post at a time! #FactOverFiction.” The account’s posts aim to debunk information portraying Israel negatively. This is done by replying to news articles or pro-Palestinian voices or by creating posts purportedly refuting reports on Israel’s killings of Palestinian civilians and aid workers, as well as other acts of state violence. Yet these so-called clarifications read like they’re straight from a military spokesperson’s transcript—often justifying attacks as the elimination of terrorists. The X Truth Bot operates under two profiles: @XTruth_bot, established in August 2024, and @xTruth_zzz, created in January 2024. Both accounts are managed by the user Vodka & Seledka (@seledka_vodka), a British-Russian blogger. They promote a Telegram bot that claims to utilize Google search for verifying statements made on X, which Vodka & Seledka asserts to have developed. Notably, Vodka & Seledka follows several pro-Israel accounts and frequently shares Zionist content.