The Power of Fake Images: Why the Right Wing Is Turning to AI-Generated Content

Right-wing groups are increasingly using AI-generated images for visual communication, whether to provoke, stylize, or emotionally charge political messages. The article illustrates how such images are used to stage and spread disinformation. But why does artificial intelligence appeal to right-wing groups? Dr. Josephine B. Schmitt, Scientific Coordinator at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), points out that AI-generated videos or audio content are hardly recognizable as such and are perceived as real. AI tools are thus becoming a dangerous weapon that could lead to the spread of false fear scenarios in the future and disinformation. However, she says that generated content is not only propagated for allegedly dystopian predictions of the future, but also for utopian ones. Ideologies can be glorified through AI by creating an artificial reality that presents idealized values as promising. Another factor, according to Schmitt, is the bias of the models, which is of great importance in the use of AI. By using a data set that is already prepared with prejudices to train the AI, right-wing extremist actors can reinforce stereotypes through the targeted use of these prejudices. Memes also play a central role here, because AI content that promotes ideologies can appear funny and provocative by referring to memes. Right-wing extremist actors try to arouse sympathy and generate connectivity precisely through this.