AI-generated women are spreading disinformation about…

In July 2026, an investigation uncovered a large-scale disinformation campaign on TikTok utilizing AI-generated female presenters to manipulate public perception regarding Singapore and Malaysia. The network, consisting of approximately 30 accounts, produced over 550 videos that collectively garnered more than 3 million views by blending legitimate news hooks with fabricated geopolitical narratives.

What happened

The operation relied on a factory-like production system that repurposed AI-generated personas, recycled audio tracks, and standardized scripts to create an illusion of independent commentary. By using attractive, poised presenters, the campaign exploited psychological triggers to build trust and increase engagement. Nearly 90 percent of the analyzed content pushed misleading claims, often framing Singapore’s economic and political future as entirely dependent on China.

One recurring, fabricated narrative specifically targeted Singapore’s foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan. The videos falsely claimed that he had unsuccessfully begged China and Indonesia to prevent a new shipping route from bypassing Singapore’s port. This specific anecdote was repeated over a two-month period and accumulated more than 100,000 views.

The infrastructure behind the campaign was highly coordinated, with multiple accounts parroting identical talking points to ensure narrative consistency. Experts noted that this high-volume repetition, combined with the short-form nature of TikTok, made the false claims feel familiar and plausible to audiences. While the campaign primarily sought to erode trust and social cohesion within Singapore and Malaysia, researchers suggested the content also targeted the global Mandarin-speaking diaspora to influence investor perceptions. Following the investigation, TikTok terminated the identified accounts for violating policies against deceptive behavior, including covert influence operations and impersonation.