Theatre of war: How AI videos and propaganda clips manipulated US-Iran conflict

About this episode

This episode explores the role of AI-generated propaganda and disinformation in the US-Iran conflict, featuring insights from experts in media and cultural criticism.

US President Donald Trump went from warning about the demise of a “whole civilisation” to announcing a “big day for world peace” in a matter of hours. It was not the first time he has used his Truth Social platform to make alarming statements during the course of the Iran war. He has used expletives and threats, often through conflicting messages over whether the conflict is escalating or winding down. Provocative language and dramatic effect have played a big role in the media battle, even as a fragile two-week ceasefire comes into effect. But it is not only words. The White House has shared Hollywood-style trailers promoting US military operations. Not to be outdone, official Iranian social media accounts and officials have also relentlessly been sharing wartime propaganda of their own, including AI-generated Lego videos and cartoon memes mocking Mr Trump and other US officials. These have gone viral, as have fake images and news of the war. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher examines the high-tech propaganda and disinformation campaigns that have been conducted over the past six weeks – and explains how dangerously effective they have been.We hear from…

People in this episode

Host: Nada AlTaher

Guests: Henry Giroux, Darren Linvill

Topics covered

• AI propaganda
• US-Iran conflict
• disinformation campaigns
• media manipulation
• political communication

Keywords

• AI videos
• propaganda
• US military operations
• Iran war
• disinformation
• media battle
• social media

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: White House, McMaster University, Clemson University

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