Recent reports have highlighted the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading disinformation and propaganda targeting the 2024 Olympics in Paris. A viral music video featuring a faux French President Emmanuel Macron and AI-generated imagery depicting Paris in a negative light gained traction on social media platforms, aided by thousands of social media bots associated with a Russian disinformation group.
The video, available in multiple languages thanks to AI translation, portrayed Paris as a crime-ridden city with environmental concerns, particularly targeting the water quality of the Seine River where some Olympic events are scheduled to take place.
Russia's involvement in spreading disinformation during the Paris Games has been notable, with a focus on using AI to create fake content such as videos, music, and websites. The technical sophistication of Russia's disinformation campaign has raised concerns among experts.
Instances of disinformation included false claims about the CIA and U.S. State Department warning against the Paris metro, as well as baseless allegations regarding the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. Russian networks amplified these claims, sparking online debates and trending topics.
The International Boxing Association, with ties to Russia, faced scrutiny for disqualifying Khelif amid questionable circumstances. Russian state media and other outlets have perpetuated false narratives, diverting attention from the sporting events to focus on negative aspects of the Olympics.
Russia's history of using propaganda to undermine international events, including past Olympic Games, has been documented. The country's tactics range from distributing printed material to cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the competition and tarnishing the event's reputation.
Authorities in France have been vigilant against potential sabotage, cyber threats, and disinformation campaigns targeting the Games. Recent arrests and charges related to foreign interference underscore the seriousness of these concerns.
As global events like the Olympics attract significant online attention, various actors, including criminal groups and scam artists, exploit the platform to spread false information. The proliferation of fake websites and online scams ahead of the Olympics serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age.
