Russian bot farms target X to spread misinformation

MISINFORMATION

Russian bot farms target X to spread misinformation

Russian-backed bot farms are using X to spread misinformation, undermining Elon Musk's efforts to combat bots on the platform.

Here’s what you need to know

• Russian bot networks are spreading false stories on X.

• X's reliance on crowd-sourced fact-checking is insufficient.

• The true extent of bot activity on X remains unclear.

Disinformation campaigns

A fake story about the Ukrainian President's wife buying a Bugatti with U.S. aid was amplified on X by a Russian disinformation network. The "Doppelganger" bot network rapidly spread the story, later picked up by pro-Kremlin accounts and prominent influencers, making it trend.

X’s response

X relies on crowd-sourced fact-checking via Community Notes and has reduced internal moderation, contributing to the spread of false information. The Justice Department seized domains and investigated nearly 1,000 accounts linked to a Russian AI-enhanced bot farm operating on X.

Ongoing bot problem

Despite identifying and suspending many bot profiles, X continues to struggle with bot activity. Musk’s promise to defeat bots faces significant challenges as bad actors adapt.

Unresolved questions

The true extent of bot activity on X remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 5% to 30% of daily active users.

Bots continue to exploit the platform, highlighting the ongoing battle against misinformation and the need for robust solutions to maintain platform integrity.

The digest

Washington Post launches ‘Climate Answers’ chatbot: The Washington Post has rolled out a new AI tool that allows users to seek answers on environmental issues and climate change sourced from its coverage. “Climate Answers” is designed to “make our journalism more accessible” to consumers, the CTO said in a memo.

Growth stalls at Elon Musk’s X: X has experienced stalled user growth amid Elon Musk's divisive influence and competition from Meta’s new platform, Threads. Unreleased figures show X's global daily active users reached 251 million in Q2 this year, a 1.6% increase from the same period last year.

TikTok shares insights into its EU election integrity efforts: TikTok has shared a new overview of its election integrity efforts during the recent EU election period, and the impact of its various measures, designed to limit misinformation and keep voters informed during the process.

Behind Gen Z comes Gen Alpha: This podcast by Provoke Media discusses Generation Alpha, noting they are children born from 2010 onwards and are deeply integrated with technology, having never known a world without social media. Brands are increasingly interested in engaging with this generation through platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with content trends showing a preference for long-form videos and comedic sketches.

LEADERSHIP

Philosopher brings Ancient Greek philosophy to the boardroom

David Rodin, a philosopher and war ethicist, applies ethical principles from warfare to the corporate world, advising business leaders on ethical decision-making.

Here’s what you need to know

• David Rodin uses moral philosophy to help business leaders navigate ethical dilemmas.

• He has worked with high-profile clients like Citigroup and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to rebuild trust and ethical practices.

• Rodin's approach blends utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics to create a robust ethical framework.

From Māori martial arts to ethics consultancy

David Rodin’s journey began with his interest in Māori martial arts and ethics at Oxford, where he delved into "just war theory." This foundation led him to explore the ethical responsibilities of individual combatants in warfare, challenging traditional principles.

Advising the CBI

In the wake of a scandal, the CBI turned to Rodin for guidance. He highlighted the importance of understanding ethical tools akin to economic principles for sound decision-making. His work emphasised building a culture of trust and accountability, rather than mere compliance with rules.

Principia: Ethics in practice

Rodin founded Principia, an ethics consultancy, which combines philosophical principles with practical tools. His team, a mix of academics and practitioners, has worked with various organisations to foster ethical cultures and decision-making processes.

Challenges and criticisms

Despite the push for ethical business practices, challenges remain. Critics argue that real change requires more than consulting—it depends on leaders' genuine commitment to ethical behaviour.

Rodin acknowledges that while his methods provide valuable frameworks, the implementation lies with the executives.

Tool of the week

PRophet

www.prprophet.ai

PRophet is an AI tool specifically made for PR professionals. The platform uses AI to help modern PR professionals become more “performative, productive and predictive” by generating, analysing and testing content that predicts earned media interest and sentiment.

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