Microsoft: China's AI Will Disrupt US, SKorea, India Elections
On Friday, Microsoft's threat intelligence report warned that China plans to influence upcoming elections in the US, India, and South Korea using AI-generated material, with Taiwan's presidential election serving as a practice run....
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Facts
- On Friday, Microsoft's threat intelligence report warned that China plans to influence upcoming elections in the US, India, and South Korea using AI-generated material, with Taiwan's presidential election serving as a practice run.1
- China and North Korea are reportedly sponsoring groups to develop and spread AI-generated content on social media to advance their positions. While the impact is currently projected to be low, Microsoft warned against its potential growth.2
- China allegedly used AI-generated videos with fake audio during Taiwan's presidential election, according to Microsoft. While the influence on swaying audiences is reportedly low, this capability could improve in the future.3
- A Chinese cybergroup, named Storm-1376, reportedly used AI-generated memes to spread false accusations against Taiwan's election winner, William Lai. Additionally, an AI-generated TV news anchor developed by TikTok owner ByteDance also made claims against Lai.1
- Chinese Communist Party-linked social media accounts have reportedly been posing provocative questions on US domestic matters. These are believed to be gathering data on voting demographics before the US presidential election, with the aim of identifying polarizing issues.4
- The tech giant has found Chinese AI-generated information on the Nov. 2023 train disaster in Kentucky, the August 2023 Maui wildfires, the US drug crisis, immigration, and racial tensions. However, no evidence currently suggests these initiatives changed public opinion.4
Sources: 1Guardian, 2EDNEWS, 3StratNews Global and 4Microsoft On the Issues.
Narratives
- Anti-China narrative, as provided by Microsoft On the Issues. Microsoft's Threat Intelligence report presents a strong and unequivocal warning about the potential threat posed by Chinese and North Korean cyber warriors. These groups might attempt to disrupt the upcoming high-profile elections by utilizing AI-generated content to manipulate voters. China, in particular, has militarized social media platforms like TikTok and is using various tools such as memes, videos, and audio to try to influence voters their way. This threat must be urgently addressed.
- Pro-China narrative, as provided by CNN. China's policy remains clear. Beijing does not interfere in other nations' internal affairs — including general elections. Accordingly, China will not disrupt the US 2024 presidential election. President Joe Biden received assurances of this by President Xi Jinping when the two met last November. Instead, China hopes the two countries can build a relationship that respects each other's sovereignty and promotes peace and prosperity.
