AI-generated 'experts' make up large network of German political videos
Researchers identified 47 YouTube channels using artificial presenters to discuss conflicts, geopolitics and German politics, with videos recording more than 7.5 million views.
A network of artificial intelligence-generated presenters has been identified on German-language YouTube channels, discussing political and geopolitical issues. The Centre for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (CeMAS) investigated 47 channels and documented 1,876 videos published between December 2025 and August 2026. These channels attracted over 66,000 subscribers, with their videos garnering around 7.55 million views and nearly 30,000 comments.
Despite being fake, some viewers were genuinely engaged with the content, with some believing it to be real. The videos predominantly focused on German domestic politics, portraying the country as experiencing a political and economic crisis and criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government. This aligns with the upcoming state and local elections, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to win in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while Chancellor Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is expected to fall short of the 5% threshold.
The timing of the AI-generated content, however, does not suggest a campaign specifically targeting the elections. CeMAS believes the German-language channels could be part of a broader pattern, although a direct link has not been conclusively established.
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