Data exponentially expands as technologies improve, and communication channels become more sophisticated. Facebook and X, once the standard for the basis of social media analysis are at best minimally effective. Social messaging apps, short video creation, and open-form podcast media dominate the U.S. and increasingly globally. However, hyper-local capture combined with transcription and translation has been difficult to produce. RootWise’s response is AIME. AIME is not just another data analysis tool; it’s a sophisticated system designed to provide actionable insights while strictly adhering to the data provided. Recently, I utilized AIME to conduct an in-depth analysis of social and political sentiments surrounding the M23 rebel attacks in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Through this analysis, AIME identified a sophisticated misinformation campaign by Rwandan social media influencers, revealing a stark contrast between local perceptions and Western media coverage of the M23 conflict.
We leveraged AIME’s capabilities to understand how locals view the M23 conflict compared to the narrative presented by Western media. Western coverage often portrays the M23 as a rebel faction supported by Rwanda to exploit mineral resources. In a recent discovery, Rwandan local WhatsApp channels, YouTube pages, and TikToks suggest that Rwanda has no part in the conflict and that citizens in Kivu, DRC, are increasingly disillusioned with poor governance in the region. This discrepancy hints at a sophisticated misinformation campaign by Rwandan social media influencers, a phenomenon that has received little attention.
To capture a comprehensive picture of the situation in DRC and Rwanda, I collected data from various platforms: TikTok, YouTube, group WhatsApp chats with local journalists, and private interviews. The content spanned multiple languages—English, French, and dialects of Swahili. This diversity posed a significant challenge, but AIME’s robust multilingual capabilities enabled seamless processing and analysis.
AIME: AI with Guardrails/Closed AI?
One of the most compelling aspects of AIME is its ability to provide accurate, data-driven insights without overstepping or generating unsupported conclusions. Unlike other AI systems that might hallucinate or make speculative predictions, AIME strictly adheres to the data it receives. This ensures that the analysis is grounded, reliable, and actionable.
When asked to analyze sentiments and key themes in the DRC and Rwanda, AIME provided detailed feedback based on the collected signals. Prominent humanitarian/conflict media outlets such as VofA and The New Humanitarian highlighted issues within the DRC, such as the perceived incompetence of the FARDC (Congolese military) and the criminal activities of Wazalendo (Congolese militia volunteers). While much of the messaging coming out of the DRC channels aligned with Western media, AIME pulled out contrasting narratives delivered in Kinyarwanda that first caught my attention in large YouTube clips that I was unable to understand. This is compelling as I would not have had the ability to catch this as an analyst, and AIME sorted out the more compelling information in the subsequent clips I processed.
Identifying a Sophisticated Misinformation Campaign
The disparity between local and Western narratives suggests a coordinated misinformation campaign by Rwandan social media influencers. The Rwandan information campaign focused on a wide series of topics, but AIME keyed in on the most prominent:
- The DRC leadership both in the capital of Kinshasa and in the Kivu’s are not responding to the conflict, and the M23 rebels are providing needed infrastructure and security for the Congolese citizens.
This video was shared in a Rwandan WhatsApp group with the caption:
“For years Kinshasa didn’t care about people in Bunagana. Incredible but true… so it was the AFC/M23 who connected Bunagana and yesterday at midnight people were still dancing in the streets.” #Congo
- To combat claims of Rwandan involvement, WhatsApp users shared multiple claims similar to this statement:
“The M23 are Tutsi in Congo, not Rwanda. They are around North and South Province in DRC but they want a revolution against the DRC and have a government.” - Following discovery of these narratives, I was able to secure an interview with a Rwandan citizen sharing the misinformation in WhatsApp channels. This led to invaluable insight into the belief system perpetuated by Rwandan sources. When asked how the M23 is getting weaponry without support from Rwanda, this was the response:
“Some people believe M23 get their guns from the DRC Army. There are some people supporting them like the Congolese diaspora from different countries who need revolution in the country. Also, when they are fighting it is easy to catch government soldiers and their guns and weapons. The DRC government provides the guns to civilians and militias that are not professionals and will sell their guns to the rebels of the M23.”
The Role of AIME in Delivering Actionable Insights
AIME’s ability to handle diverse data sources and languages was crucial in providing a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics in the DRC and Rwanda. Its guardrails ensure that the analysis is based purely on the data provided, eliminating the risk of unsupported conclusions.
The insights gained from AIME’s analysis are invaluable for understanding the multifaceted issues in the DRC and Rwanda. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities, AIME enables us to navigate the complexities of information landscapes, providing clear, actionable intelligence that drives effective decision-making. At RootWise, we are committed to harnessing the power of AI to empower organizations and communities facing critical challenges. AIME stands as a testament to this commitment, offering a reliable and innovative solution for real-time data collection and analysis. As we continue to refine and expand AIME’s capabilities, we look forward to driving positive change and fostering a safer, more informed world.
