By Nick Allen For Dailymail.com
In a concerning revelation by Microsoft, it has been disclosed that China is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and fabricated social media profiles to sow discord and foster mistrust within the United States in the lead-up to the presidential election.
As the election draws closer, Chinese cyber agents are anticipated to utilize AI technology to produce sophisticated deep fake videos containing fictitious ‘news segments’ featuring fabricated anchors.
Microsoft has highlighted that Beijing is intensifying its efforts to disrupt the electoral process, resorting to fabricated online surveys to pinpoint the most polarizing issues among Americans.
Subsequently, the Chinese operatives will disseminate AI-generated memes, original video clips, and infographics to exacerbate existing divisions, particularly focusing on contentious topics such as immigration, racial tensions, and drug-related issues.
Clint Watts, the general manager of Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), emphasized that “China is employing counterfeit social media profiles to conduct voter surveys aimed at accentuating divisions and potentially manipulating the outcome of the US presidential election in their favor.”
He further added, “China has escalated its utilization of AI-generated content to advance its objectives globally.”
Entities associated with the Chinese Communist Party have already taken advantage of unfolding events in the U.S., seizing opportunities to propagate misinformation.
One such group, recognized under various aliases like Storm-1376, Spamouflage, or Dragonbridge, has been particularly active, as per Microsoft’s findings.
Following a train derailment incident in Kentucky last November, this group exploited social media platforms to insinuate that the U.S. government might have orchestrated the crash intentionally, insinuating a cover-up.
Moreover, they propagated a conspiracy theory suggesting that the Maui wildfires in August 2023 were potentially ignited by the U.S. government as part of a clandestine “weather weapon” experiment.
Among their repertoire of misinformation campaigns is the accusation that the U.S. is contaminating water sources in foreign nations to assert “water hegemony.”
Clint Watts remarked, ‘In recent times, there has been a surge in what can be termed as polling inquiries,’ indicating a calculated attempt to discern the preferences of various U.S. voter demographics regarding different issues or stances.
Chinese operatives are leveraging these surveys to ascertain ‘which subjects are the most polarizing in anticipation of the crucial phase of the U.S. presidential election,’ he noted.
He elaborated, ‘These accounts predominantly focus on divisive U.S. domestic topics such as climate change, immigration policies, drug-related concerns, immigration, and racial discord.’
Utilizing original videos, memes, infographics, and repurposed content from prominent political sources, these operatives are actively fueling discord through social media platforms.
Microsoft had previously observed a surge in Chinese AI-generated content aimed at influencing the presidential election in Taiwan back in January.
This marks the first instance where Microsoft has pinpointed a nation-state actor utilizing AI to sway a foreign election.
Watts underscored, “Given the upcoming major elections worldwide, notably in India, South Korea, and the United States, we anticipate that China will, at the very least, produce and amplify AI-generated content to further its strategic interests.”
Additionally, Microsoft’s report also disclosed North Korea’s foray into employing AI for cryptocurrency theft.
