1 day ago
Anthropic Reports UAE-Linked AI Campaign Targeting Sudan War Narratives
Anthropic is a company that makes an AI chatbot called Claude.
It said people connected to the United Arab Emirates used Claude in a campaign about Sudan’s war.
The campaign reportedly created reports, social media posts and speeches.
It mainly targeted the Muslim Brotherhood and United Nations experts.
Some materials allegedly pretended to come from independent Sudanese witnesses.
Anthropic also said the campaign investigated experts who criticized the UAE.
The UAE denies supporting one of the armed groups in Sudan’s war.
Anthropic said it stopped the campaign but did not know whether it changed anyone’s decisions.
Anthropic said it disrupted an influence operation it linked with high confidence to United Arab Emirates government officials.
The campaign used Claude to produce reports, advocacy materials, social media posts and testimony about Sudan.
It targeted the Muslim Brotherhood and United Nations experts critical of the UAE’s alleged role in Sudan’s war.
Anthropic said the operation used about 300 fake social media accounts and an AI persona called “Deadshot.”
The company could not determine whether the materials reached intended audiences or influenced policy decisions.
- Who
- Anthropic reported an operation it linked with high confidence to United Arab Emirates government officials; the campaign targeted the Muslim Brotherhood and United Nations experts.
- What
- An alleged influence operation used Claude to create reports, advocacy materials, social media content and testimony about Sudan.
- Where
- The campaign focused on Sudan and materials intended for audiences including the United Nations and its Human Rights Council.
- When
- The operation reportedly ran during the Sudan war, which began in April 2023; Anthropic disclosed it in a report released Thursday.
- Why
- Anthropic said the operation sought to attack the Muslim Brotherhood, influence narratives about Sudan and counter criticism of the United Arab Emirates.
Anthropic’s Findings
United Arab Emirates’ Position
Attribution of the campaign
Anthropic’s Findings
Anthropic said it disrupted a broad influence operation linked with high confidence to UAE government officials.
United Arab Emirates’ Position
The UAE did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on Anthropic’s report.
Role in Sudan’s war
Anthropic’s Findings
Anthropic said the campaign targeted critics of Abu Dhabi’s alleged role in the conflict and sought to prevent references to the UAE in some testimonies.
United Arab Emirates’ Position
The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations that it supports the Rapid Support Forces or fuels Sudan’s conflict.
Effect of the materials
Anthropic’s Findings
Anthropic described fake accounts, drafted testimony and dossiers targeting United Nations experts as part of the operation.
United Arab Emirates’ Position
Anthropic said it could not determine whether the materials reached their intended audiences or influenced policy decisions.
Key facts
- Reported operator
- Anthropic linked the campaign with high confidence to United Arab Emirates government officials.
- AI tool used
- Claude
- Reported target
- The Muslim Brotherhood and United Nations experts critical of the UAE’s alleged role in Sudan.
- Social media activity
- About 300 fake accounts were reportedly used.
- Campaign persona
- An AI persona called “Deadshot.”
- Conflict start
- Sudan’s war began in April 2023.
- Casualties and displacement
- Aid workers estimate that more than 200,000 people have been killed, while millions have been displaced.
Quotes
Anthropic
AI company that investigated and reported on the alleged influence operation
“materials serving a party to the Sudan conflict would reach the UN as from independent local witnesses, rather than state messaging”
NDTV
“a coordinated transatlantic and regional operation to dismantle the Muslim Brotherhood globally”
NDTV
Sources
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