Sudan conflict: AI influence campaign linked to UAE and RSF territorial gains

AI research firm Anthropic has reported the disruption of a widespread influence campaign linked with high confidence to United Arab Emirates government officials. The operation utilized the Claude chatbot to generate social media posts, advocacy papers, and reports. A central component of the campaign involved an AI persona named ‘Deadshot,’ which aimed to dismantle the Muslim Brotherhood globally and target UN experts who have criticized the UAE’s alleged involvement in the Sudan war.

The campaign reportedly managed approximately 300 fake social media accounts and produced dossiers against UN special rapporteurs. While the UAE has denied supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), UN experts have reported that entities operating from the UAE have facilitated weapons and logistics for the paramilitary group.

Simultaneously, the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate. An alliance between the RSF and a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) claims to have captured several areas in Blue Nile state, including villages in the Kurmuk locality. The alliance stated they are advancing toward the state capital, Ed Damazin. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have responded by reviewing defensive deployments, expressing confidence in their ability to repel advances and protect civilians.