09:41Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Terrorist groups turn propaganda into cartoons using artificial intelligence
Generative artificial intelligence tools that create images and videos are being used to make terrorist propaganda appear more entertaining. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue has called this trend “Slop Jihad” in a new report. According to the report, young supporters of groups such as “ISIS” and “al-Qaeda” are attempting to radicalize younger internet users through cartoons, propaganda videos and memes.
One of the most striking examples cited in the report is a remake, in the style of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” of an old video showing “ISIS” members drowning people in a cage. In the cartoon version, orange-clad fish are placed in a cage. “SpongeBob” lowers the cage into the water, while “Squidward” films it. Videos like these conceal familiar symbols associated with terrorist groups and make violent propaganda resemble ordinary entertainment content. Terrorist groups had already been using generative artificial intelligence. The “ISIS”-affiliated “News Harvest” program began using AI-generated presenters in 2024 to distribute propaganda videos more cheaply and quickly. Official materials are now converted into animation in a short period of time. Even the “ISIS” organization’s weekly “al-Naba” bulletin is shared on “TikTok” in anime form. The study identified 150 videos and 71 accounts on “TikTok.” These posts received more than 5.4 million views in total. Similar videos were also found on “Instagram” and “Facebook,” but there were significantly fewer of them. Researchers cited the recommendation algorithm behind the “For You Page” and the extremist support network already present on the platform as the main reasons. A 2024 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development identified “TikTok” as one of the 10 main platforms where terrorist and extremist content is distributed. “TikTok,” however, said the methodology of the new report was not sufficiently substantiated. The platform stated that it bans organizations that promote violence and hatred. It also noted that all the videos referenced in the report had been removed and that it uses automated systems, safety teams and partners to review content. According to experts, generative artificial intelligence makes it easier for individuals to create their own propaganda materials. Although some traditional supporters reject the new cartoon and meme style, some accounts that share official propaganda also distribute these videos. Most of the deleted accounts have backup profiles. Some posts evade automated monitoring systems and remain accessible for months.
One of the most striking examples cited in the report is a remake, in the style of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” of an old video showing “ISIS” members drowning people in a cage. In the cartoon version, orange-clad fish are placed in a cage. “SpongeBob” lowers the cage into the water, while “Squidward” films it. Videos like these conceal familiar symbols associated with terrorist groups and make violent propaganda resemble ordinary entertainment content. Terrorist groups had already been using generative artificial intelligence. The “ISIS”-affiliated “News Harvest” program began using AI-generated presenters in 2024 to distribute propaganda videos more cheaply and quickly. Official materials are now converted into animation in a short period of time. Even the “ISIS” organization’s weekly “al-Naba” bulletin is shared on “TikTok” in anime form. The study identified 150 videos and 71 accounts on “TikTok.” These posts received more than 5.4 million views in total. Similar videos were also found on “Instagram” and “Facebook,” but there were significantly fewer of them. Researchers cited the recommendation algorithm behind the “For You Page” and the extremist support network already present on the platform as the main reasons. A 2024 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development identified “TikTok” as one of the 10 main platforms where terrorist and extremist content is distributed. “TikTok,” however, said the methodology of the new report was not sufficiently substantiated. The platform stated that it bans organizations that promote violence and hatred. It also noted that all the videos referenced in the report had been removed and that it uses automated systems, safety teams and partners to review content. According to experts, generative artificial intelligence makes it easier for individuals to create their own propaganda materials. Although some traditional supporters reject the new cartoon and meme style, some accounts that share official propaganda also distribute these videos. Most of the deleted accounts have backup profiles. Some posts evade automated monitoring systems and remain accessible for months.