Deepfake videos of Burkina Faso's coup leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré were created and circulated to promote pro-junta narratives, with AI-generated content spreading across Africa to influence political opinion and undermine democratic processes.
Following Captain Ibrahim Traoré's coup in Burkina Faso in September 2023, deepfake videos began circulating that urged citizens to support the coup. These AI-generated videos portrayed Traoré in various fabricated scenarios, including shaking hands with world leaders, berating the International Monetary Fund, and addressing Pope Leo XIV in fluent English. The videos were produced by France-based groups Black Rebellion and Univers Inspirant, which dedicated over 90% of their content to the Burkinabe junta leader. While some videos appeared designed to generate revenue from viral content, the broader deepfake phenomenon across Africa includes content linked to Russia's Africa Corps promoting pro-Russian, pro-junta narratives. The deepfakes exploit people's tendency to believe visual content, with millions of viewers sharing the fabricated videos. Similar AI-generated content has spread across the continent, including synthetic newscasters broadcasting propaganda, deepfake images used by warring sides in Sudan, and fake journalists spreading pro-Russian propaganda. The incident highlights Africa's limited capacity to identify and block deepfake content, with only six countries having developed national AI strategies by 2023.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim of manipulating political processes, public opinion, and behavior.
AI system
Due to a decision or action made by an AI system
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed