Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

US Officials Shut Down Russian AI-Powered Account on X

POSTED ON July 11, 2024 •   Technology      BY Benedicta Bassey
US Justice Department/ Photo credit: AriseTv

US officials have announced that they have dismantled an AI-powered information operation originating from Russia, involving nearly 1,000 fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter) set up to propagate pro-Russian events.

The automated accounts impersonated Americans to propagate pro-Russia stories, particularly about the war in Ukraine. 

The US Justice Department made this revelation via a court document and made available in the public domain on Wednesday.

The Justice Department attributed the account's creation to a deputy editor at Kremlin-owned RT, formerly Russia Today, according to AriseTv report.

The Justice Department has seized two websites used to generate emails for the bot accounts and ordered X to provide information on 968 suspected bot accounts.

According to the documents, the operation used artificial intelligence to create the accounts and disseminate pro-Russian narratives. 

FBI Director Christopher Wray described the takedown as a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored AI-enhanced social media bot farm.

“Russia intended to use this bot farm to disseminate AI-generated foreign disinformation, scaling their work with the assistance of AI to undermine our partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives favourable to the Russian government,” Wray stated.

The accounts have since been deleted by X, and screenshots shared by the FBI indicated they had very few followers. 

The bot farm was reportedly the brainchild of an RT deputy editor-in-chief seeking new distribution methods. 

RT America was shut down in 2022 after several major US cable providers dropped it following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The operation’s development involved another RT employee and later a Russian intelligence officer, aiming to spread misinformation and sow discord in the United States, according to the Justice Department.

Anna Belkina, RT’s deputy editor-in-chief, responded to the BBC via email, humorously distancing herself from the allegations: “I’m more than happy to tend to my farm (dacha) – made up mostly of tomatoes and strawberries, but sadly without any help from the FSB,” referring to the Russian security service.

While no criminal charges have been announced, the Justice Department said investigation is ongoing. 

The BBC has reached out to X and the Russian Foreign Ministry for comments. 

A recent investigation also uncovered a separate attempt to bolster a Russia-based disinformation network using AI-generated fake news sites.

READ ALSO
Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...

READ ALSO
FG Unveils Project CNG-SPROUT to Revolutionize Campus Transport with Clean Energy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The federal government has launched a transportation initiative called "Project CNG-SPROUT," designe...

READ ALSO
Agro Alliance Takes Top Honors at Hack4Livestock with IoT Solution for Cattle Intrusions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Ministry of Livestock Development has announced its intention to empower 1,000...

READ ALSO
INEC Launches AI Division to Enhance Electoral Processes, Address Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 23, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sanctioned the establishme...

READ ALSO
Legal Obligations Remain Despite Threats to Exit Nigeria, FCCPC Rebukes Meta Platforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government, through its Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has crit...

READ ALSO
Digital Inequality in Africa: High costs, infrastructure gaps leave millions offline
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

Despite significant investments in Nigeria and various regions of Africa, only 38 percent of the pop...

READ ALSO
CBEX unregistered digital assets exchange in Nigeria, SEC warns of investment risks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that Crypto Bridge Exchange, also referre...

READ ALSO
NDPC launches initiative to combat cyberbullying, financial fraud through data protection
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 7, 2025 0

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Monday reiterated its dedication to enhancing data...

OUR CHANNELS:

70-Year-Old Faces Manslaughter Charges After Fatal Accident
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - A 70-year-old man, Isiaka Afolayan, has been detained for careless driving and the...


Police Arrest 49 years old Suspect for Abduction of Two-Month-Old Baby
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The police in Delta reported the arrest of a suspect named Joy Temitope for the abd...


43 Lives Lost in Benue Armed Attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

BENUE, Nigeria - At least 43 individuals lost their lives when armed assailants targeted communities...


Health Equity: Nigeria's Push for Universal Health Coverage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

In alignment with the global effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria is striving to...


Road Maintenance Crisis: FERMA Requires N880 Billion Yearly Amid Budget Shortfalls
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government needs approximately N880 billion each year for the upkeep of...


Okocha Urges Victor Osimhen to Consider Staying at Galatasaray
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

Nigerian football icon Jay-Jay Okocha has shared advice with Victor Osimhen amid growing speculation...


60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...


PDP Leaders Slam Minister for Backing Tinubu's 2027 Campaign
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Coalition of United Pol...


Gunmen Shot Dead Real Estate Investor, Abduct Wife
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

OWERRI, Nigeria - A real estate investor lost his life after being attacked and fatally shot by a gr...


JUST IN: Former Super Eagles Star Emmanuel Udoh Passes Away
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The team manager of Akwa United and a former defender for the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Udoh, has been...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu