Deepfakes, propaganda and “meme warfare” accelerate the spread of competing narratives
Information warfare is not new. Social media and artificial intelligence, however, have dramatically sped up the spread of disinformation, making rapid responses increasingly important to maintaining an advantage in the information environment.
The conflict with Iran has been accompanied by a network of AI-generated videos featuring people posing as U.S. service members. The University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute identified more than 100 TikTok accounts impersonating U.S. personnel. Videos showing “soldiers” claiming to be in distress or asking for support for their mission garnered more than three million views and 440,000 engagements.
Modern propaganda takes many forms, from mocking videos depicting U.S. administration officials as Lego figures to influence campaigns connected to the war in Ukraine. An effective response requires specialists to identify target audiences quickly, develop an appropriate message and determine how best to deliver it.
Adversaries use AI to expand their messaging
Russia and China are already using artificial intelligence and large language models to strengthen their information operations, according to Bobby Muscara, Two Six Technologies’ associate director for Europe. Russia has expanded its propaganda from two languages to six, while China is distributing more content in English and other languages. Iran, too, is using AI tools to produce propaganda.
In this environment, the ability to counter adversarial narratives quickly is critical. The task is no longer simply to distribute leaflets or broadcast radio messages: campaigns must be tailored to their audiences and platforms, and keep pace with the speed at which content spreads.
The U.S. military is adjusting its structures and plans accordingly. The Navy has launched a pilot program to integrate information warfare squadrons into carrier groups, while the Army has added electronic warfare and information advantage to the responsibilities of its principal cyber advisor. The Marine Corps is developing a service-wide information warfare plan covering training, funding and engagement with industry.
Military commanders are increasingly calling for non-kinetic capabilities — operations that do not rely on the direct use of armed force. In conflicts where messages can cross borders instantly, control of the narrative can shape both events on the ground and public opinion.
A platform to identify and counter narratives
An effective response involves three steps: understanding the information environment, developing a counter-message and distributing it. Two Six Technologies’ Sentr platform, powered by agentic AI, brings these capabilities together in one system.
Sentr scans social media and other online sources to identify active narratives and track how they evolve. It can compile data on campaign reach and effectiveness, then help users develop and distribute responses. The company says some customers have reduced their response times by 85 percent using the platform.
Its tools can identify recurring themes, phrases, hashtags and target audiences. Users can, for example, request an analysis of narratives attributed to Russia in Lithuania over a specific period and receive findings organized by language and platform, with references to the original content.
Not every narrative needs a public rebuttal. If a false claim is not gaining traction, responding could draw more attention to it. By tracking message volume, engagement and popularity, the platform can help specialists decide when intervention is warranted and when monitoring is the better course.
Verification remains essential
Using AI in information operations presents security and accuracy risks, including the possibility of generated misinformation. Sentr does not rely on a general-purpose language model alone; it uses what the company describes as a doctrinal framework to define relevant sources and how conclusions must be supported.
The platform includes citation and verification features. For material in its knowledge base, users can see which document was consulted and what information was drawn from it. For online articles, the system can display references, images, authors and original text, along with translations.
Human experts curate and contextualize the information, while the platform preserves source histories so users can audit how findings were assembled. Independent review remains part of the process: AI supports analysis, but does not replace human judgment.
Sentr is an unclassified tool, but the company says it applies security measures comparable to those used in its systems for classified networks, including two-factor authentication. The platform can also flag potential operational security concerns if it finds sensitive information originating from friendly sources.
AI speeds up the contest for narrative control
Disinformation, propaganda and inaccurate information — including claims shared unintentionally — pose a persistent challenge. Adversaries can use AI to produce and distribute large volumes of content, and a delayed response may allow a narrative to take hold.
Tools such as Sentr are designed to give specialists a faster, more comprehensive view of campaigns and a way to respond without dividing the process across multiple systems. The aim is not to replace experts, but to help them verify information and act in time.
