China’s state-run media outlet CGTN posted a 2-minute, 42-second AI-generated clip featuring robots and Americans dancing to mock Donald Trump’s tariffs. The clip claims these tariffs will lead to high inflation and economic troubles for Americans.
The clip, marked as “created with AI,” warns that while the song is artificial, “the debt problem is 100% human-made.” A fictional singer voices that instead of helping Americans, the tariffs harm them by making US goods more expensive. For example, “you promised us stars, but the tariffs destroyed our cheap Chinese cars.”
A woman is shown staring at an empty fork on a kitchen table, highlighting the economic struggle. This is not the only AI-generated video to mock US tariffs. Another clip, also from Chinese state-run media outlet Xinhua, shows a robot named T.A.R.I.F.F. that self-destructs rather than follow orders to impose tariffs, which it believes will lead to “trade war and unrest.”
What’s Behind These Videos?
These clips are part of a growing trend of AI-generated content used to criticize US trade policies. According to reports, China has been using AI to create propaganda videos and social media posts to sway public opinion on trade issues.
Expert Insights
The use of AI in propaganda is not new, but its application in trade disputes is a recent development. As AI technology improves, we can expect to see more sophisticated and convincing content used in geopolitical conflicts.
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