This article was originally published in German (dist[ex] monitor 2. Quartal 2026) and was automatically translated for international dissemination.

By Monitoring team (Violence Prevention Network)

Content using artificial intelligence (AI) is currently widespread. Our monitoring reveals how extremist actors across various ideological milieus are using images that are presumed to have been created using AI. And we analyse why AI-generated visuals are significant to extremist actors.

The far-right Instagram account Wilhelm_Kachel (24,000 followers) repeatedly promotes remigration and depicts Germany in a völkisch style[1]. Many posts feature AI-generated imagery, accompanied by white text on a blue background and the account’s logo. The images often depict self-assured, proud or dignified white and blonde people. Individuals perceived as female are generally portrayed in a lascivious manner and conforming to conventional beauty standards, frequently whilst performing activities that are coded as classically feminine in the relevant ideological contexts (e.g. raising children; see Fig. 1). Those perceived as male often embody physical strength and/or a combative spirit.[2] Migrants or political opponents are depicted, amongst other things, with cynical smiles, or as aggressive or threatening.[3] Many of the images align with far-right gender roles.

The images are believed to have been created by Alexander Kleine, an activist with the Identitarian Movement and managing director of Tannwald Media.[4] Tannwald Media has most recently been linked to the AI-generated content used in the AfD’s election campaign and to the AI-generated video for the so-called deportation song.[5] The image-text combinations are also sold as stickers in the so-called Patria Shop.[6]

Actors from the Islamist spectrum also use AI-generated content. Following the ban on Muslim Interaktiv by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in November 2025, many of the groups active online renamed their official channels, retained their followers, deleted their previous content and subsequently posted under their personal names. New profiles also emerged. One of these Instagram accounts is ISLAMigenz (over 1,600 followers); the channel relies heavily on AI-generated content.[7]

ISLAMigenz frequently publishes emotionally charged videos, some of which last several minutes and are set to dramatic music. Among other things, the videos feature individual heroic figures. In one instance, the exemplary behaviour of citizens in relation to German politics is depicted: for example, one video suggests protest against German support for Israel in the Middle East conflict.[8] Other videos visualise a large resistance movement against reason of state (Fig. 2). This movement fights against a state alleged to be acting unlawfully and claims to be seeking a change in behaviour among its leaders.

ISLAMigenz also publishes posts that thematically either highlight the division and humiliation of the Islamic world, invoke the unity and strength of all Muslims, or emphasise justice and the social ideals of Islam. Other posts focus on the greatness of Allah and faith in him. In contrast to the usual aesthetic of these actors, real-life photos and videos are less prevalent on ISLAMigenz; instead, the account predominantly publishes fully animated and usually longer video posts.

Within the conspiracist spectrum, the Instagram account forbidden_truth (over 410,000 followers) repeatedly uses AI-generated images. For example, it features content relating to the chemtrails conspiracy narrative: According to this narrative, powerful figures are spraying chemicals via aircraft contrails with the aim of manipulating or poisoning the population.[9] The messages of adherents to this conspiracy narrative sometimes overlap with far-right ideologies, and occasionally also contain anti-Semitic world views.[10] For example, forbidden_truth repeatedly posted an infographic which, in a comic-style format, sets out the basic tenets of the alleged conspiracy (Fig. 3). The diagram, which was presumably generated using AI, is intended to make the conspiracy narrative appear credible and to explain it in a supposedly plausible manner[11].

Another post suggests that many people are ignorant and therefore fail to notice chemtrails.[12] Aluminium foil hats are regarded by some followers as protection against alleged mind control or poisoning. Conspiracy believers are therefore commonly referred to as tinfoil hats.[13] Other posts on the account appropriate this derogatory label in their stride and turn it on its head, so that those wearing tinfoil hats are meant to come across as confident and smart. In other cases, AI is also used here to visualise a large resistance movement.[14]

AI-generated (visual) content is currently widespread. It is hardly surprising that extremist actors also make use of it. Images created using AI enable extremist actors to visualise content quickly, cost-effectively and professionally. This makes it easier for them to give the impression of being a significant movement.

Furthermore, AI makes it easier for these actors to translate abstract and sweeping ideas into visual form, for example by stereotypically visualising vague enemy stereotypes. On the one hand, this captures users’ attention and encourages interaction with the content. On the other hand, it conveys a mental image in a more vivid, lively and compelling way. AI can therefore be used to establish desired fictions as realities.[15]

There is debate as to whether AI aesthetics constitute the aesthetics of the far right or a fascist aesthetic.[16] To contextualise this, the process of creation is significant: AI generates new images based on older – often stereotypical – visual material. The past is thus reassembled in a nostalgic manner, which is particularly significant for groups that romanticise traditional values.

The providers’ ethical guidelines – which are largely US-based – facilitate the dissemination of such content across networks which operate according to comparable standards. At the same time, the generic images are personalised with distinctive branding, for example in the credits and/or as recurring logos, which enhances their recognisability.

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[1] Deutschlandfunk: “The ethno-nationalist AI memes of ‘Wilhelm Kachel’”, deutschlandfunk.de, 29 August 2024: https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/rechtsextreme-memes-kuenstliche-intelligenz-wilhelm-kachel-propaganda-100.html (last accessed: 5 May 2026). The term “völkisch” means “ethnic white”.

[2] Wilhelm Kachel: Instagram post dated 20 November 2025: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRRqi5CjQKQ/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[3] Wilhelm Kachel: Instagram post dated 13 February 2026: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUs3V30Db8g/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[4] Kira Ayyadi: “AfD commissions far-right figure to run AI election campaign”, belltower.news, 18 December 2024: https://www.belltower.news/tannwald-media-afd-beauftragt-rechtsextremen-mit-ki-wahlkampf-157509/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[5] Gabriel Rinaldi, Tim Frehler and Peter Ehrlich: “Who the AfD is teaming up with for the election campaign”, sz.de, 27 November 2024: https://www.sz-dossier.de/meldungen/2024-11-27-mit-wem-die-afd-in-den-wahlkampf-geht-9c242315 (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[6] Sticker featuring the Wilhelm_Kachel motif, patria-laden.de: https://patria-laden.com/product/aufkleber-deutsche-zukunft-50-stueck/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[7] See post by Eren Güvercin on X, 7 January 2026: https://x.com/erenguevercin/status/2008890363935691044 (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[8] See ISLAMigenz: Instagram post dated 3 January 2026: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTBryDDjA2z/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[9] Leonie Feuerbach: “Chemtrails and Reptilians”, bpb.de, 6 June 2018: https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/wahre-welle/270412/chemtrails-und-reptiloide/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).

[10] Ibid.

[11] forbidden_truth: Instagram post dated 20 February 2026: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU_jQz8DIkR/

[12] forbidden_truth: Instagram post dated 20 February 2026: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU_KtulDDvu/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026 – post no longer online).

[13] vgl. Feuerbach

[14] forbidden_truth: Instagram post dated 13 February 2026: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUs99b8jJB8/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026 – post no longer online).

[15] Ayyadi 2024

[16] Annekathrin Kohout: “Politics of the Image and Affect”, taz.de, 12 March 2025: https://taz.de/Wie-rechts-ist-die-KI-Aesthetik/!6071540/ (last accessed: 5 May 2026).