The danger of AI-generated images allegedly depicting Ukrainian soldiers. What you need to know
Lately, social media in Ukraine has been filled with posts featuring what looks like AI-generated images of supposedly Ukrainian soldiers, with messages asking users to wish them a happy birthday or congratulate them on their wedding. Similar posts feature rescued animals, children, or the elderly.
These posts are often spread by bots and are designed to play on emotions, encouraging users to engage. This leads to thousands of interactions from real users, helping to rapidly boost the visibility of the pages.
russia can use these types of social media accounts as part of its information war against Ukraine. These AI-generated posts attract followers who may not be too critical of what they see online, making them more vulnerable to manipulation. This creates an opportunity for the enemy to push harmful for Ukraine narratives.
Another threat of such posts is the potential for fraud, as they often contain malicious links disguised as things like petitions to sign.
Be mindful of what you interact with online and don’t fall for manipulations.