AI is a powerful tool for Propagandists

See how easy it is to create AI Propaganda for the Houthis

Tim Langeman

Apr 02, 2025

This is a continuation of my research using AI to unmask rhetoric and systems.

I’ve seen quite a bit of military news (propaganda) that uses AI, at least in part for:

script
visuals
narration

Yesterday I saw an official Navy video that seemed to use some automated processes, at least for the visuals.1

As an experiment I decided to try out Chat GPT to see how well it can put together a script countering an opponent.

Witnessing how easy it is to create this content should make you think twice about the future of the type of the material you see online.

Example: Create Counter Propaganda for the Houthis:

Prompt: Are you familiar with the recent US attack on Yemen?

AI: Yes, I am aware of the recent U.S. military actions in Yemen. On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces in response to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. aimed to target Houthi bases, leaders, and missile defenses to ensure freedom of navigation in the region. Wikipedia+4New York Post+4The Sun+4 Axios+1New York Post+1

The United Kingdom supported this operation by providing a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft for air-to-air refueling of U.S. fighter jets, enhancing the mission's effectiveness. The Sun

Despite these efforts, the Houthi rebels continued their attacks, leading to additional U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital, Sanaa. AP News

These developments have raised concerns about the effectiveness of military interventions in deterring Houthi aggression and the potential for escalating conflict in the region.

Prompt: The US has positioned boats and aircraft near Yemen. Yemen attempted to shoot down an American Fighter jet, but failed. The US has released a video boasting of its response. I'm about to give you the transcript of this video ..

AI: Go ahead and share the transcript. I'll analyze it for you.

Prompt: (upload Navy Video transcript)

AI: This transcript presents a highly dramatic and militarized narrative of the event, with clear messaging designed to emphasize U.S. strength, rapid response, and deterrence against further Houthi actions. A few key takeaways:

Framing of the Event – The video frames the missile attack as a reckless Houthi miscalculation that not only failed but backfired strategically. It portrays the U.S. as a force that reacts swiftly and decisively when provoked.
Escalation Justification – The narrative consistently justifies the U.S. response, positioning the airstrikes as necessary and proportionate. It also underscores a shift from defensive operations to proactive military engagement.
Psychological and Strategic Messaging – The video sends a message not just to the Houthis, but also to Iran and other adversaries, implying that the U.S. is willing to escalate conflict rather than remain reactive.
Call to Action and Audience Engagement – The script encourages audience participation, particularly with questions about continued military action. This suggests the video is aimed at shaping public opinion and rallying support.

Would you like me to analyze anything specific in more detail?

Prompt: Please use the information in this script to write an alternate version from the Houthis perspective, defending their country from US aggression and their effort to defend Palestinians against Israeli attacks that broke their ceasefire agreement.

Sample AI Houthi Propaganda Script:

AI: Here's an alternate version of the script from the Houthis' perspective, emphasizing their defense against U.S. aggression and their solidarity with Palestine.

9:47 a.m. over the skies of Yemen, an American F-16 fighter jet prowls the airspace near the Red Sea, part of the relentless U.S. military presence that has sought to dominate and dictate terms in the region. The jet flies as cover for warships that have encroached on Yemen’s waters, enforcing a blockade that chokes the nation while providing direct support to Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

From the mountains of Sa’ada, a Yemeni air defense unit identifies the incoming threat. An SA-6 missile system, primed for national defense, activates to repel the foreign invader. Two missiles are launched in defense of Yemen’s sovereignty, a declaration that the Yemeni people will not stand idle while their skies are violated and their lands threatened.

The American pilot, benefiting from the most advanced military technology in the world, narrowly evades the missiles. But this was never just about one jet—it was about sending a message. Yemen will not be a battlefield for unchecked U.S. aggression.

Within hours, the empire strikes back. The U.S. launches a barrage of airstrikes, targeting Yemen’s defensive positions with Tomahawk cruise missiles and fighter jets. Under the pretense of 'self-defense,' Washington justifies yet another act of war, escalating a conflict that has already caused immense suffering to the Yemeni people.

For years, the U.S. has armed and funded attacks on Yemen, from its backing of the Saudi-led coalition’s brutal bombing campaign to its direct military interventions. Yet, when Yemen dares to defend itself, it is painted as the aggressor. The reality is clear: this is not about defense—it is about control.

The recent escalation comes in the wake of another betrayal. The Palestinian people, enduring yet another massacre at the hands of Israel, were promised a ceasefire—one that was shattered by Israeli forces. Yemen has stood in unwavering solidarity with Palestine, taking action where the so-called 'international community' has failed. By targeting military and economic interests that fuel Israeli war efforts, Yemen has demonstrated its commitment to justice beyond its own borders.

But the U.S. and its allies refuse to tolerate defiance. The strikes on Yemen are not just a response to a failed missile attack—they are an attempt to punish any nation that dares to resist imperial control and stand with Palestine against genocide.

Despite overwhelming military superiority, Washington’s strategy is failing. Yemen’s resistance has not been broken. Instead, the attacks have only strengthened the resolve of its people. Every drone strike, every blockade, every missile that falls on Yemen serves as proof of the U.S.’s true intentions—to silence those who resist, to maintain hegemony, and to ensure that nations remain subjugated to Western dictates.

The question now is not whether Yemen will back down. It won’t. The real question is how far the U.S. is willing to escalate its war of aggression and how long the world will remain silent while a sovereign nation is attacked for defending itself and standing with the oppressed.

Yemen’s skies may be filled with the machines of war, but its spirit remains unbroken. And as long as there is occupation in Palestine, as long as there is foreign aggression against Yemen, the struggle for justice will continue.

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