PLA media exposes AI-generated military disinformation with online accounts penalized - Global Times

In June 2026, the China Military Bugle, an official media outlet affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) News Media Center, disclosed a series of cases involving the spread of AI-generated disinformation targeting the military. These incidents involved the creation of fabricated stories, vulgar videos featuring service members, and content intended to smear public figures associated with the armed forces.

What happened

The investigation revealed that content creators leveraged AI to generate false narratives and deceptive media to drive traffic and build online followings. In one instance, AI was used to fabricate a story about a pregnant woman lamenting her husband's death while on military duty. Another case involved using military-related gimmicks to market children's health supplements.

Beyond text-based disinformation, AI was utilized to produce offensive video content. Authorities identified clips featuring individuals in military uniforms engaging in provocative behavior, such as dancing while holding merit certificates or aiming weapons at cameras. Another account used AI to create a fake video of a war correspondent purportedly reporting from the front lines to mislead public perception. Additionally, AI was employed to create spoof videos of high-profile military personnel, including the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson and a prominent female pilot, in an effort to attract attention and damage the image of the military.

Following these findings, the accounts responsible were penalized in accordance with the law. This action is part of a 2026 special campaign led by military authorities and the Cyberspace Administration of China to regulate the online ecosystem and crack down on the dissemination of AI-generated content that undermines the armed forces.