Brussels, Belgium – A recent European report has warned of a dangerous rise in the use of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation on social media platforms. This content aims to fuel anti-Muslim sentiment, exploiting the Christmas season and the sensitivity of discussions surrounding identity and religion within European societies.
The report, issued by research centers concerned with combating digital extremism and hate speech, explained that the weeks surrounding the holiday season witness a surge in activity. This activity involves accounts and pages that rely on AI-generated images, videos, and text, presented as real events or current affairs.
According to the report, this fabricated content falsely links Christian religious celebrations to what it describes as “cultural or security threats.” This is done through fabricated narratives accusing Muslims of seeking to undermine Christmas celebrations. This contributes to reinforcing negative stereotypes and fueling Islamophobia.
The report’s authors pointed out that the danger of this material lies not only in its content but also in its rapid spread. It relies on artificial intelligence algorithms to produce engaging and quickly circulated content, making it difficult for the average user to distinguish from genuine news.
The report also noted that some digital campaigns are backed by organized networks. These networks exploit social and economic tensions in Europe and seek to use religious occasions to incite internal division. They also work to deepen polarization within society.
The report called on EU institutions to tighten their oversight of social media platforms. They should be required to take more effective measures to monitor AI-generated content. This should be coupled with increased public awareness of the dangers of fake news, especially during sensitive periods such as holidays and religious observances.
Experts believe these warnings reflect a growing challenge facing Europe: how to balance freedom of expression with protecting social peace. This comes at a time when digital disinformation is more sophisticated and influential than ever before.
