The U.S. Department of Treasury revealed on December 31, 2024, that a Moscow-based organization used artificial intelligence to spread disinformation during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, operating from a server housed in an apartment paid for by Russian intelligence.
The Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE), founded by Russian nationalist Aleksandr Dugin, worked directly with Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) to create and distribute AI-generated fake news content across a network of over 100 websites designed to appear as legitimate news outlets.
According to Treasury officials, the GRU provided financial support to CGE and U.S.-based operatives to maintain the AI server and cover rent costs for the apartment where it was located. The organization's director, Valery Korovin, identified as a GRU officer, oversaw operations targeting Western nations.
The Treasury Department's investigation uncovered that CGE used generative AI tools to rapidly produce disinformation about U.S. political candidates. In one notable instance, the group was linked to creating a manipulated video falsely accusing Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz of sexual assault.
"CGE built a dedicated server to host their AI tools and generated content specifically to avoid detection and blocking by foreign web hosting services," stated Treasury officials in their release.
These sanctions come as part of broader U.S. government actions against foreign election interference, which included operations by both Russian and Iranian actors during the 2024 election cycle. The measures target CGE, its director Korovin, and other entities involved in influence campaigns aimed at U.S. voters.
While U.S. election infrastructure remained secure, cybersecurity officials noted that Americans faced unprecedented levels of foreign-originated false information throughout the election period.