AI-generated pro-Russian war songs flood music streaming platforms

Pro-Russian war propaganda is increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to flood global music streaming platforms. An investigation by the Ukrainian threat intelligence non-profit Terrecon identified 981 AI-generated songs that glorify the Russian invasion of Ukraine and dehumanize Ukrainians through ethnic slurs and biased narratives.

Spanning genres from sentimental ballads to heavy metal, these tracks have reached millions of listeners on platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Deezer. One rock song, ‘Power of Artillery’, has reportedly amassed over two million views on YouTube. The surge in content coincides with the availability of generative AI tools like Suno and Udio.

Daria Verbytska, co-founder of Terrecon, compared the strategy to modern battlefield tactics, noting that just as cheaper drones are being used for mass-scale warfare, AI allows for the rapid and inexpensive production of mass propaganda. The investigation highlighted significant moderation gaps in streaming services, noting that systems often react to specific banned words rather than the broader offensive meaning or nuance of the prompts.