Microsoft has issued a warning indicating that China is preparing to disrupt the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, the polls in the United States and South Korea by utilizing artificial intelligence-generated content.
This alert follows China’s trial run during Taiwan’s presidential election, where AI was employed to influence the outcome.
In a recent meeting between Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, discussions were held regarding the potential use of AI for social causes, women-led development and innovation in health and agriculture.
With elections scheduled in at least 64 countries, along with the European Union, collectively representing about 49 percent of the global population, Microsoft’s threat intelligence team has identified Chinese state-backed cyber groups, possibly in collaboration with North Korea, as likely to target several elections in 2024.
The strategy may involve deploying AI-generated content via social media platforms to sway public opinion in favour of China’s interests during these crucial electoral processes.
The potential threat posed by political advertisements utilizing AI technology to produce deceptive and false content, including “deepfakes” and fabricated events, is significant, particularly in a pivotal election year.
Such tactics aim to mislead the public regarding candidates’ statements, stances on various issues, and even the authenticity of certain events, potentially undermining voters’ ability to make well-informed decisions.
While the immediate impact of AI-generated content remains limited, Microsoft warns that China’s increasing experimentation with this technology could become more effective over time.
Previous attempts by China to influence Taiwan’s election involved disseminating AI-generated disinformation, representing the first instance of a state-backed entity utilizing such tactics in a foreign election.
During the Taiwanese election, a group known as Storm 1376, or Spamouflage, actively circulated AI-generated content, including fake audio endorsements and memes, aimed at discrediting certain candidates and influencing voter perceptions.
Microsoft also highlighted the continued use of Chinese AI-generated content in the United States, with efforts to sow division on various topics, including recent events like the train derailment in Kentucky and the Maui wildfires, among others.
While there is little evidence that these efforts have been successful in swaying public opinion, the potential impact of AI-generated content on democratic processes remains a concern.
Incidents like the AI-generated phone call during the 2024 New Hampshire Democratic primaries, falsely attributed to President Joe Biden, underscore the need for vigilance in addressing the misuse of AI in election campaigns.
As India prepares for its general elections, scheduled to commence on April 19, the Election Commission has already outlined guidelines and protocols to combat false information and misinformation. Additionally, representatives from OpenAI recently met with members of the Election Commission of India to discuss measures aimed at preventing the misuse of AI in the electoral process.
Read all the World News, Business News, Sports News, Entertainment News, Business News and Opinion here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Did you know The Theorist also has a WhatsApp channel? Click here to follow us on WhatsApp
