How Iran is leveraging Western artificial intelligence to gain an advantage in information warfare.
A report from The Economist indicates that Tehran is using advanced AI models to generate a wide range of digital content aimed at satirizing and countering the US on social media.
Iran is deploying a new strategy in its propaganda war by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) originating from the West. According to an analysis by The Economist, Tehran is achieving significant results in influencing international public opinion, an area previously dominated by Western powers.
The shift in digital propaganda tactics.
In the context of the current conflict, Iran has shifted its approach from rigid messaging to highly interactive digital content. Design groups supporting the Tehran regime are using AI to mass-produce satirical videos directly targeting American political figures, particularly President Donald Trump.
Statistics reveal the campaign's astonishing effectiveness. In just the first month of the conflict, two pro-Iranian networks garnered over 1 billion views on social media platform X. The biggest difference lay in the wit and deep understanding of the opposing side's popular culture, something that previous propaganda campaigns often lacked.
Advantages from Western AI technology
The use of artificial intelligence offers technical advantages that previous generations of propaganda lacked. AI allows for the rapid and extremely low-cost creation of countless video clips, instantly responding to socio-political developments.
Notably, because most major language models and image-making technologies today are trained on massive datasets from the West, this technology inadvertently provides Iran with the ability to perfectly mimic opposing cultures. From upbeat rap songs to Lego-style animation, this content easily infiltrates and resonates within the global internet community through memes and short videos.
Vulnerabilities in the US information defense system.
While Iran is accelerating its adoption of technology, the U.S. response system is showing certain vulnerabilities. The U.S. State Department once had a unit dedicated to countering adversary propaganda campaigns, but this unit was disbanded last year under President Trump.
The lack of a centralized response mechanism, coupled with the emergence of powerful AI tools, has enabled regional rivals like Iran to challenge the US's position on the information front. The Economist concludes that a leading global military power is facing a major challenge as adversaries use its own "technological weapons" to attack public opinion.
