Use of AI detected in Rwandan politics ahead of elections
A recent report indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in Rwanda to drown out opposition on social media.
The report by Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub revealed that a pro-Kigali network has been using large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT, to generate supportive messages on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The analysis examined 464 accounts responsible for posting 650,000 messages since the beginning of the year. These accounts, allegedly part of a pro-government group, aimed to drown out criticism of the Rwandan government by flooding the platform with supportive content.
The researchers found that these AI tools were employed to produce varied phrasings of similar messages, effectively evading detection by X's policies, which prohibit the use of LLMs.
Rwanda's government has faced accusations of suppressing opposition, including backing bans on the candidacy of prominent opponents such as Bernard Ntaganda, Victoire Ingabire, and critic Diane Rwigara.
The report also analysed the online response to public controversies impacting the Rwandan government's reputation. It found that pro-Rwanda accounts attempted to divert attention from criticisms related to Rwanda's support of the M23 militia in eastern Congo-Kinshasa and President Kagame himself. This diversion often involved highlighting the successes of government-sponsored sports teams like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Additionally, the campaign utilised visual imagery at scale, combining generative templates with labour-intensive photoshopping. One example included the superimposition of opposition figure Victoire Ingabire's face onto an image of a militia fighter.
The coordinated online campaign, targeting audiences in the region, Europe, and within Rwanda, aims to promote the government's projects and policies while attacking its critics. With the upcoming elections, the findings suggest a sophisticated effort to shape public perception and support for Kagame's anticipated victory.
Rwanda is heading to the polls on July 15, where Kagame will be looking to extend his reign to its fourth term.
