Microsoft flags deceptive strategies and AI-generated disinformation from China that could potentially disrupt the upcoming US election
China is reportedly using AI-generated images, videos, and memes to misinform voters about the elections and brew outrage in the US, South Korea, and India.
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What you need to know
With the prevalence ofgenerative AIand chatbots, misinformation is becoming more widespread. Microsoft recently shareda new reporthighlighting how China is misappropriating the tech, spanning from AI-generated memes designed to fuel outrage over Japan’s disposal of nuclear wastewater to spreading malicious rumors indicating that the US government is behind the tragic wildfire in Hawaii and Kentucky’s train derailment.
According to the tech giant:
“As populations in India, South Korea and the United States head to the polls, we are likely to see Chinese cyber and influence actors, and to some extent North Korean cyber actors, work toward targeting these elections.”
Further in the report, Microsoft indicated that it anticipates China will leverage AI-based ploys to interfere with high-profile elections this year. Several social media accounts believed to belong to Chinese users have been spotted spreading politically concocted AI-generated information. Moreover, the accounts would ask followers to interact with the posts by asking which presidential candidate they are supporting.
Microsoft speculates that China intends to use its position and AI to brew more chaos, ultimately allowing it to benefit from the high-profile elections. While the tech giant indicates the issue isn’t severe, it warns the situation is highly likely to change:
“While the impact of such content in swaying audiences remains low, China’s increasing experimentation in augmenting memes, videos and audio will continue – and may prove effective down the line.”
Microsoft’s report complements the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s threat assessment of China. Both reports mentionedStorm-1376,a Beijing-based group known as “Spamouflage” that is believed to be behind Taiwan’s electoral process disruptions via AI-generated content.
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What’s Microsoft doing to prevent the issue from becoming widespread?
Last year, Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) was spotted misleading voters and users withfalse information regarding the forthcoming US election. Researchers indicated that the issue was systemic, after establishing a pattern. The chatbot had also been spotted providing false information about the election process in Germany and Switzerland.
But Microsoft has beenputting elaborate measures and ramping up it effortsto prevent this situation from spiraling out of control. Earlier this year while in speaking in an interview, Microsoft CEO indicatedthere’s ‘enough technology’ to protect the US presidential election from AI deepfakes and misinformation.
Microsoft had already indicated that it plans toempower voters with authoritative and factual election news on Bingahead of the poll.Bing growth continues to stagnatedespite Microsoft’s hefty investment in AI, whileGoogle dominates the search landscape.
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
