AI-Generated Hitler Speech Sparks Controversy and Goes Viral

AI-Translated Hitler Speech Goes Viral, Sparking Controversy

Recently, AI-generated video clips featuring a translated version of Adolf Hitler’s infamous 1939 Reichstag speech have taken social media by storm. The speech, in which Hitler declared that the impending war would result in the “annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe,” has been viewed over 15 million times on X, according to the platform’s statistics.

Far-Right Influencer Shares Controversial Videos

The videos were initially shared by Dom Lucre, a prominent far-right conspiracy theorist on X, who has a history of sharing questionable content, including child exploitation imagery. Despite claiming to merely be “sharing what is news,” Lucre’s posts have sparked a range of reactions from viewers, with some expressing alarming sentiments.

“I’m beginning to think we may have lost WWII,” wrote one commenter who has a verified X account.

Another follower suggested that the speech indicated a deep concern for their country, while others shared links to a controversial neo-Nazi film.

Misinformation Spreads as Conspiracy Theorists Weigh In

Owen Benjamin, another well-known conspiracy theorist, erroneously claimed that the AI-translated videos showed Hitler’s reluctance to go to war and his criticism of other countries for not assisting the Jewish population. Benjamin’s tweet has garnered over 3.5 million views, further fueling the spread of misinformation.

Origins and Technology Behind the AI-Translated Videos

The video clips appear to have originated from a YouTube channel called Time Unveiled, which has previously posted AI-translated videos featuring other historical figures such as Osama bin Laden, Joseph Stalin, and Hideki Tojo. The creators of the Hitler video stated in the description that they utilized technology from voice-cloning startup ElevenLabs to generate the audio. This is the same technology that was recently used to create an AI-generated robocall impersonating President Joe Biden.

Social Media Platforms’ Response to the Controversial Content

While the videos have gained significant attention on X, they have not received the same level of engagement on other platforms like Instagram. Lucre’s Instagram account remains active, although the video in question was removed over the weekend. X, ElevenLabs, and YouTube have not responded to requests for comment regarding the controversial content.

The viral spread of these AI-translated videos has reignited discussions about the potential dangers of AI-generated content and its ability to spread misinformation and controversial ideologies. As social media platforms grapple with the challenges posed by such content, it remains to be seen how they will address the issue moving forward.