Will a fugitive oligarch sway Moldova’s election?

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 20 September 2025

⏱️ 18 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On 28 September, Moldova’s parliamentary election will be closely watched by leaders in both the EU and Russia.

Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch on the run from Moldovan authorities, and now resident in Russia, is believed to be behind a major disinformation campaign. The apparent aim is to draw the nation of just over two million people under the influence of Moscow.

The BBC has sent a reporter undercover to find out how disinformation is being spread, and where the money funding it is coming from.

We hear from President Maia Sandu, on the danger it poses to the electorate, and the wider geopolitical forces at play.

Presenter: Seamus Mirodan Producer: Sam Judah Editors: Flora Carmichael and Michael Simkin BBC Eye Investigative Team: Rowan Ings, Angela Stanciu, Andreea Jitaru, Oana Marocico, Malvina Cojocari

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, radio, podcasts.
0:07.7	Hello and welcome to Business Daily from the BBC World Service. I'm Hannah Malayne.
0:13.6	All this week, we've been looking at how artificial intelligence or AI is changing the business world.
0:19.1	And in this, our final episode, we'll hear from those choosing a different path.
0:23.9	There's no reason for me to ever use it, like to do what?
0:28.0	To write a script for me?
0:29.6	I am a screenwriter.
0:31.1	I love writing.
0:32.2	Why would I do that?
0:34.0	As artificial intelligence progresses, we're seeing certain industries and businesses push back.
0:40.2	Authors are taking tech companies to court over copyright, artists are protesting,
0:45.0	and a number of small and medium-sized enterprises are saying they have no plans to ever use AI.
0:50.6	But we're resisting the technology mean they fall behind.
0:53.6	They'll fall behind to their existing competitors, and they'll fall behind to younger generations that will compete against them.
0:59.5	And they will also fall behind in recruiting good employees as well.
1:03.2	Today, we'll speak to people choosing not to use AI and discuss why some businesses might be against the technology.
1:10.1	That's all coming up on this episode
1:11.7	of Business Daily. Let me just start by saying that today's hearing is about the largest
1:19.9	intellectual property theft in American history. For all of the talk about artificial
1:24.9	intelligence and innovation and the future that comes out of Silicon Valley,
1:29.4	here's the truth that nobody wants to admit.
1:32.0	AI companies are training their models on stolen material, period.
	...

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