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AI-generated deepfake videos and images were used to depict prominent Kosovo political figures in fabricated, compromising situations, such as dancing on tables with maps, to imply secret territorial negotiations. These materials were circulated on social media platforms during the lead-up to snap elections. Fact-checking organization Krypometër confirmed the content was AI-generated using the Hive detection platform.
Videos reported as AI-generated depicted former Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Lumir Abdixhiku, Edi Rama, Baton Haxhiu, Richard Grenell, and Aleksandar Vučić in fabricated election-period scenes implying territorial-partition talks, an Osmani-Abdixhiku alliance, and opposition coordination against Albin Kurti before Kosovo's June 7 snap elections.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim of manipulating political processes, public opinion, and behavior.
The incident involved the coordinated use of AI-generated deepfakes to conduct a disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion and political processes during an election.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed
The incident was caused by human actors who intentionally created and distributed AI-generated deepfakes to influence the Kosovo elections.
Added categories peak at 2: Minor (Epistemic Harm, Direct)
AI-generated deepfakes targeted Kosovo political figures, including President Vjosa Osmani, during snap elections to falsely imply secret territorial negotiations. While representing no kinetic threat, the campaign highlights the evolving risk of AI-enabled information warfare targeting democratic processes and sovereignty.
The AI system was used as a tool to generate deepfake images and videos based on direct human inputs, performing a specific function without autonomous planning or decision-making.
Limited Risk: The incident involves AI-generated content such as deepfakes, which are subject to transparency obligations under the EU AI Act.
The AI system was used to generate fabricated videos and images depicting political figures in compromising situations.
The report clearly details the nature of the deepfakes, the political figures involved, the platform used for dissemination (Facebook), and the fact-checking process using Hive. There is little ambiguity about the events described.
None
Technology
Generative AI Deepfakes
AI tools allowed highly realistic fabrication of political figures.
Lack of Automated Prevention
Social media platforms lacked active AI filters to block deepfakes at upload.
Data Inputs
Exploitation of Public Media
Real images of politicians were used to train and generate fabricated videos.
Human Factors
Malicious Political Intent
Bad actors created deepfakes to influence voters before early elections.
Public Susceptibility
Users share sensational fabricated content without verifying its authenticity.
Process and Methods
Reactive Fact-Checking
Verification by Krypometer occurred only after the videos gained traction.
Inadequate Content Screening
Facebook processes failed to flag political deepfakes during upload.
Management
Inadequate Platform Oversight
Facebook management failed to allocate resources to prevent regional deepfakes.
Regulatory Environment
Weak Digital Campaign Laws
Lack of strict legal frameworks targeting political deepfakes during elections.
AI system involved
Identified by automated extraction; can differ from the alleged developers above.
