Beijing, China is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to influence elections in various countries, including the United States, South Korea, and India, following a trial run during the presidential election in Taiwan. According to a report by Microsoft, Chinese state-backed cyber groups are expected to target high-profile elections in 2024, with North Korea also playing a role.
Microsoft warns that Chinese cyber and influence actors, along with North Korean cyber actors, will deploy AI-generated content through social media to benefit their positions in key elections. While the impact of such content may currently be low in swaying audiences, China’s experimentation with memes, videos, and audio could become more effective in the future.
In a groundbreaking move, China attempted an AI-generated disinformation campaign during the Taiwan presidential election in January. The Beijing-backed group, Storm 1376, actively spread fake content, including a generated audio clip endorsing a candidate and AI-generated memes accusing the opposing pro-sovereignty candidate of embezzlement.
Moreover, Chinese groups are continuing influence campaigns in the US by using social media accounts to pose divisive questions and understand the issues that divide US voters. This strategy aims to gather intelligence on key voting demographics ahead of the US Presidential election.
Following a series of errors by Microsoft leading to state-backed Chinese cyber operators breaking into email accounts of senior US officials, concerns have been raised about the security implications of such AI-powered disinformation campaigns. The US and UK governments have previously accused China-backed hackers of targeting politicians, journalists, businesses, and election watchdogs through cyber campaigns.
As China’s use of AI-generated content and disinformation campaigns evolves, there are growing concerns about the potential impact on democratic processes and the need for international cooperation to combat such threats. Experts emphasize the importance of cybersecurity measures to safeguard the integrity of elections and protect against foreign interference.