CitizenGO and the Copygen AI

I recently contributed to a new investigation by El País, written by Laura Galaup in collaboration with AlgorithmWatch. The report focuses on ‘Copygen’ an AI platform similar to ChatGPT created by Ignacio Arsuaga, the leader of the ultraconservative organization Hazte Oír/CitizenGo. This tool was designed specifically for political marketing.

The article by Laura Galaup, published in El País, uncovers “Copygen”—an AI platform from CitizenGo/Hazte Oír’s leader.

The investigation raises concerns that Copygen could generate content that celebrated Francisco Franco, spread xenophobic messages, and fueled disinformation due to a lack of control over its output.

My contribution to the report drew from recent academic research on CitizenGo’s digital strategies. I highlighted several key points:

I explained that signing a petition on CitizenGo.org not only adds a person to their mailing list but also designates them as a “member”. This is a common practice among digital advocacy organizations, yet it carries consequences that many people may not anticipate from simply signing an online petition. Ultimately, it results in them receiving targeted campaigns and funding requests.
Relying on our recent study on CitizenGO social media strategy, I underscored that the organization uses a highly structured digital communication strategy. This has allowed it to become a central hub for transnational conservative activism online.
Finally, I pointed out the significant potential for AI to become a powerful tool for these types of organizations. AI can rapidly produce large volumes of persuasive content—from social media posts and petitions to email campaigns—that can be easily adapted for different audiences and languages, dramatically expanding their reach and influence.

Despite this strategic investment, it appears Arsuaga’s experiment has already ended. Copygen shut down on August 16, 2025. The case of Copygen is part of a larger trend: the transnational digital strategies of CitizenGo and Hazte Oír, which have been using newsletters and online campaigns for years to mobilize millions of people globally.

Read the full report: