An AI-Altered Hitler Speech Is Going Viral On X

AI-altered video clips of Adolf Hitler’s 1939 Reichstag speech have gone viral, amassing over 15 million views on X, a social media platform. The speech, where Hitler foretold the “annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe,” was translated from German to English for the videos. The clips were initially shared by Dom Lucre, a prominent far-right influencer, who labelled them as “extremely antisemitic” on X. Viewers, however, have been left to draw their own conclusions, with one expressing a sentiment of nationalist admiration.

Comments on the videos reveal a mixed reception, with some perceiving Hitler as chastising other countries for not aiding the Jews, a historically inaccurate interpretation. The videos seem to have been sourced from a YouTube channel named Time Unveiled, known for uploading AI-altered speeches of various historical figures like Osama bin Laden and Joseph Stalin. The audio for the Hitler video was reportedly generated using technology from ElevenLabs, a voice-cloning startup also linked to controversial deepfake content.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential consequences of disseminating such altered historical speeches online, particularly in a context where misinformation and conspiracy theories can easily spread. Dom Lucre, whose real identity is Dominick McGee, has gained significant influence within conspiracy circles, where he frequently shares QAnon content and political commentary. Notably, despite previous controversies, Lucre was supported by prominent figures, including Elon Musk, who intervened to reinstate his account on social media platforms following policy violations.

The impact of AI-altered content on public discourse and historical memory remains a point of contention, with platforms like X and YouTube drawing scrutiny for their roles in hosting and distributing such material. The recent resurgence of these manipulated videos underscores the challenges of combating misinformation and hate speech online, as audiences navigate a complex landscape of altered narratives and conflicting interpretations.