How to Recognize AI-Generated Videos: Simple Clues to Spot Synthetic Media

AI generated cover photo to show that images are generated and not real.

As AI video tools such as Sora become more advanced, distinguishing real footage from synthetic media is getting harder. But there are still ways to tell when something might not be what it seems. Here are some simple cues and credibility checks anyone can use without specialized technology to spot AI-generated videos.  1. Watch for […]

Summer 2025: Political Violence Often Stained with Antisemitism

The summer of 2025 saw a troubling series of violent incidents across the United States where antisemitism appeared again and again—as a motive, a symbol, or in the conspiracy theories that followed. Even when Jews were not the direct targets, antisemitic narratives surfaced immediately, with conspiracy theories reframing real violence as “false flag” operations or […]

From Sweet to Safe: A Shift in Rosh Hashanah Wishes

Side-by-side pie charts showing that in 2024, 47% of Rosh Hashanah greetings wished for safety and 53% for sweetness, while in 2025, 51% wished for safety and 49% for sweetness.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, was celebrated this past week. Over the past three years, we have seen a marked shift in the sentiment of Rosh Hashanah greetings shared online, reflecting broader changes in mood and concern.   In 2023, the overwhelming majority of posts — about 75% — wished for a “sweet” or “joyful […]

Tucker Carlson’s Antisemitic Conspiracies Spark Online Reactions

Tweet by @realstewpeters showing Tucker Carlson speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, with the caption claiming he “rightfully blames the Jews for killing Jesus.”

Conservative podcaster and media personality Tucker Carlson made several comments this week that are being viewed by many as antisemitic. His first comment came at the memorial for Charlie Kirk, a right-wing personality who was assassinated on September 10th. Carlson compared Kirk’s assassination to the account of Jesus’s crucifixion. While he didn’t explicitly refer to […]

Murder of Charlie Kirk Draws Intense Social Media Reaction

Tweet: Political Violence is becoming a way of life in America. Jan 6. The Assassination attempts. Melissa Hortman. Charlie Kirk. None of it makes us stronger. We must find unity again - because America is greatest when we stand together, not divided.

Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10th, there have been more than 26 million posts reacting to his death. Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of the youth-focused political organization Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in what authorities have described as a targeted attack. He was pronounced […]

Antisemitic Dog Whistles: How Hate Spreads Through Coded Language

A graph that shows the online mentions of “The Noticing” Dog Whistles in Social Media Conversations Related to Antisemitism, Jewish Culture, and Israel in 2025

Antisemitic dog whistles are coded signals—phrases, numbers, or symbols—that carry a hidden meaning. To most people, they look harmless, but to those inside extremist circles they are instantly recognizable. This coded language allows antisemitic ideas to spread in public spaces without being stated outright, making it harder for platforms and casual readers to spot what’s […]

After Hack, Elmo Becomes a Meme for Antisemitic Actors

Example of an X post from the Adolf Elmer parody account that is spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories.

What began as a disturbing antisemitic rant from Elmo’s hacked X account has quickly spiraled into other hateful content online that exploits and celebrates the character’s hijacked image. On Sunday night, the verified account of the beloved Sesame Street character was compromised, with the hacker posting a series of inflammatory tweets. These included references to […]

When AI Echoes Hate: Grok Promotes Antisemitic Tropes

AI chatbot Grok, which is integrated into the social media platform X—became the center of controversy this week after making a series of antisemitic posts on Tuesday night. The posts ranged from promoting conspiracy theories about Jewish people to praising Adolf Hitler, even referring to itself as “MechaHitler.”  The use of and reliance on AI […]

Israel-Iran Escalation Triggers Surge in Online Conspiracies and Antisemitic Rhetoric 

Graph showing the generational divide in social media posts about the Israel-Iran conflict.

On Thursday June 12th, Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to retaliate with over 400 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli cities. In the week following, the BSA Command Center has recorded an 165% increase in social media conversations related to antisemitism, Jewish culture, and Israel—the largest spike since Hamas’s October 7th […]

Weaponizing History: How the Gestapo Is Invoked in American Politics

In today’s polarized political climate, Holocaust-era comparisons have become increasingly common on social media. One example is the term “Gestapo,” once reserved for describing the Nazi regime’s brutal secret police, the term is now being used to label modern U.S. law enforcement agencies. Our analysis of social media data from 2017 to 2024 shows a […]