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AI systems were used to create and spread disinformation campaigns targeting Alberta separatism, with foreign actors using AI-generated content to amplify divisive narratives and undermine Canadian democratic processes.
Multiple AI-powered disinformation campaigns targeting Alberta separatism were discovered by Canadian researchers in 2024-2026. The Cipher AI system, developed by Dr. Brian McQuinn at the University of Regina, detected increased Russian propaganda activity, with 67 items about Alberta separatism produced by the Pravda Network between December and April. Separately, researchers identified a network of 20 inauthentic YouTube channels using AI-generated voiceovers and avatars to promote Alberta separatist content, accumulating nearly 40 million views in 12 months. These channels, described as 'slopaganda,' used AI to create low-quality, templated videos with frequent lies and exaggerations. The content included fake polls, miscontextualized news clips, and scripts promoting Alberta joining the United States. Russian-linked websites like albertaseparatist.com, allegedly operated by the Storm-1516 network, were also identified as part of covert influence operations. The campaigns targeted a proposed Alberta independence referendum scheduled for October 2026, with researchers warning that foreign adversaries were exploiting the debate to erode social cohesion and undermine Canadian democratic institutions.
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
