The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully disrupted a sophisticated Russian artificial intelligence-powered bot operation that spread propaganda across social media platforms, according to U.S. officials.
The bot farm, developed by Russia's RT News Network and operated by Moscow's Federal Security Service, used advanced AI software called Meliorator to create convincing fake social media personas that spread disinformation about Ukraine and other nations.
Working with international partners, the FBI seized control of the operation that had been active since 2022. The Russian actors had obtained U.S.-based domain names to set up email servers for creating fictitious social media accounts.
"Today's actions represent a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored Generative AI-enhanced social media bot farm," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. He noted that Russia aimed to use AI technology to scale up their disinformation efforts and shape narratives favorable to Moscow's interests.
The operation targeted multiple countries including the United States, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, and Israel. The AI system generated realistic-looking profiles of various nationalities to make the propaganda appear more credible.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland confirmed that the Justice Department's actions had successfully disrupted Russia's state-backed AI propaganda campaign aimed at spreading disinformation domestically and internationally.
The takedown involved coordination between the FBI, U.S. Cyber National Mission Force, and cybersecurity agencies from Canada, the Netherlands and other partners. Social media companies have been advised to use the revealed information to identify and remove any remaining fake accounts linked to the operation.
This case marks one of the first major disruptions of an AI-enhanced disinformation network backed by a foreign state actor, highlighting the evolving nature of information warfare.