China will try to use AI to interfere in US, South Korea and Indian elections - Microsoft

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According to Microsoft, China plans to use artificial intelligence-generated content to interfere in major elections in the US, South Korea and India in 2024, following a test attack in Taiwan's elections.

Here's What We Know

A report from Microsoft's threat analysis team says that "at a minimum" China will spread AI-generated social media content favourable to their position in this election.

The company warns that while the impact of such content remains small for now, China's "growing experiments" in creating fake memes, videos and audio could be more effective in the future.

According to the report, a Beijing-backed group has already tried to influence Taiwan's presidential election in January with AI-generated memes and a fake audio video. Microsoft calls this "the first time a government entity has used content generated by artificial intelligence in an attempt to influence another country's election."

In addition, Microsoft says that China-backed actors are also continuing influence campaigns in the US, using social media to gather intelligence on the sentiments of American voters.

Microsoft's news report comes amid accusations by the US and UK governments of Chinese hackers responsible for a years-long cyber campaign against politicians, journalists and businesses.

Source: The Guardian