Russian disinformation slams Paris and amplifies Khelif debate to undermine the Olympics

Groups linked to Russia’s government are using online disinformation to spread false information about the 2024 Olympics and portraying Paris as a crime-ridden cesspool. In one example, a fake music video taunts Paris with AI-generated images of rats, litter and sewage. Russian disinformation also has sought to exploit unsubstantiated claims about Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. A firm that analyzes online misinformation says Russia is one of the most advanced users of generative AI models for malign purposes. Experts who study foreign influence say any global event like the Olympics is likely to be targeted for disinformation as bad actors look to exploit public interest.