When the State Tweaks Reality: The Algorithmic Hand of Influence
1. THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? Nekima Levy Armstrong: A lawyer and social justice activist, identified as the target of the AI-generated image. Her prior activism includes involvement in protests, leading to her arrest. The White House (Executive Branch): The source of the AI-generated image, disseminated through official communication channels. Specific individuals or departments
responsible for its creation and distribution remain undisclosed in the initial report. AI Technology Developers: While not directly named, the underlying developers of the AI image generation tools enable such capabilities. These are typically large tech corporations with significant contracts across government agencies. 2. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? Nekima Levy Armstrong: As
a lawyer and activist, her funding sources would likely include legal fees, non-profit grants supporting social justice initiatives, and individual donations. Exact figures are not publicly specified in this context, but such roles typically operate with limited, often project-based, funding. The White House / US Government: Funded through federal taxation. The budget allocated to communications,
digital outreach, and advanced technological integration, including AI tools and personnel, is substantial. For instance, the Department of Defense alone allocated approximately $1.5 billion to AI-related initiatives in fiscal year 2024 (GAO, 2023), indicating significant investment across the government in AI capabilities. While this specific AI project might fall under Public Affairs or a