The U.S. Special Operations Command seeks to deploy artificial online users for elite military activities.

The United States Department of Defense is exploring AI-driven technology to fabricate online persons indistinguishable from real people, aiming to enhance its cyber operations. A procurement document reviewed by The Intercept reveals that the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) wants deepfake technology capable of producing internet users so convincingly human that neither individuals nor algorithms can detect their artificial origins.

The plan, detailed in a new 76-page wishlist by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), outlines desired technologies for elite military activities. According to the document, "Special Operations Forces (SOF) are interested in technologies that can generate convincing online personas for use on social media platforms and other digital spaces."

More to read:
Russia’s spy units hacked Georgia’s government and business

This technology would enable SOCOM to create realistic, unique profiles that include "Government Identification quality photos," facial expressions, and various visual layers.

Beyond still images, the military aims to incorporate deepfake videos with lifelike backgrounds and audio, creating a virtual environment that social media algorithms cannot detect as fake.

The document highlights SOCOM's interest in technologies like StyleGAN, an AI tool that generates highly realistic human faces. As many government agencies use "liveness detection" to prevent deepfake identity fraud, asking applicants to upload selfie videos as proof of their humanity - SOCOM hopes to overcome this challenge with its future technology.

SOCOM's intent to deploy these capabilities follows recent incidents where fake social media profiles linked to the U.S. Central Command were exposed and subsequently removed by Meta and X/Twitter.

More to read:
Chinese scientists hacked military-grade encryption with quantum computer

This deepfake initiative is part of a broader interest in synthesized audiovisuals for "influence operations, digital deception, and disinformation campaigns" and to "gather information from public online forums." It will be employed most likely against China, Russia, Iran, but also possibly against allies in Europe and Asia.

With Donald Trump in charge now, expect him hacking his opponents. It's worth mentioninh that Project 2025 — a blueprint for radical changes in America during the Trump presidency – “salivates over the prospect of using AI to expand surveillance and spying efforts,” as Futurism forecasts.

***
NewsCafe is an independent outlet that cares about big issues.Our sources of income amount to ads and donations from readers.You can support us via PayPal: office[at]rudeana.com or paypal.me/newscafeeu.We promise to reward this gesture with more captivating and important topics.