Ghost creators, AI and actors spark a viral political YouTube network

A Semafor investigation uncovers a new wave of 'ghost creators'—paid on‑camera spokespeople who read AI‑generated or AI‑assisted scripts—to flood YouTube with sensational anti‑Democrat political videos. Run by Virelox and Casgains, the network spans hundreds of channels that reuse nearly identical scripts, sometimes using real actors to evade AI labels, and has generated tens of millions of views and engagement. Researchers traced links across channels and brokers, revealing a pattern of 'hybrid personas' maintaining a single identity while spreading misleading claims, driven by AI tools and low-cost production. The findings raise concerns about platform incentives and the spread of misinformation ahead of elections.