Russia, China and Cuba spread AI-generated hurricane misinformation in US
Russian, Chinese and Cuban state actors reportedly spread AI-generated misinformation about US hurricane relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, using synthetic images to amplify false claims about government spending and relief distribution on social media platforms.
What happened
Russian, Chinese and Cuban operatives spread misinformation about US government hurricane relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to a US official citing recent US intelligence.
A China-linked social media account used a likely AI-generated image of Vice President Kamala Harris overlooking flood damage next to a sign falsely claiming that 'all of the United States' money went to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.' A Russian state-owned news agency shared a likely AI-generated image on Telegram depicting a flooded Disney World.
Russian operatives spread other provocative hurricane-related content, including claims suggesting the US government was denying people disaster-relief funds. Cuba amplified narratives suggesting that US support for Israel and Ukraine diverted resources from disaster relief efforts.
Reported impact
US officials have been increasingly concerned that such disinformation could lead to violence. A North Carolina man was arrested this month for allegedly threatening harm against FEMA employees responding to Helene.
Index analysis
The AI-generated images were distributed through social media platforms including Telegram to spread false claims about US hurricane relief efforts and government spending priorities.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.