As India gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, concerns have arisen over potential interference by China through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Microsoft has issued a warning in response to allegations that China attempted to influence the outcome of elections, including those in Taiwan, using AI.
Microsoft’s caution comes in the wake of reports suggesting that hackers associated with China may seek to disrupt several elections in 2024, including those in India, the United States, and South Africa. According to Microsoft, China is planning to leverage AI-generated content to influence the results of the Lok Sabha elections in India. Similar tactics may also be employed in elections in the United States and South Korea.
The threat intelligence team at Microsoft has raised alarm bells regarding China’s nefarious plans
According to their warning, hackers linked to the Chinese government could attempt to sway public opinion by disseminating AI-generated content on social media platforms. This content, including fake videos, memes, and audio clips, could be uploaded to social media to manipulate public sentiment in favor of China’s interests.
Microsoft further reveals that China has created thousands of fake accounts on social media platforms to disseminate AI-generated content aimed at influencing voters’ opinions. This practice could prove even more effective in the future.
So, how exactly could AI influence elections? Consider this scenario
imagine coming across a video depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaging in uncharacteristic behavior that could sway your opinion against him and his party. However, the authenticity of such videos cannot be guaranteed, as they could be fabricated using AI tools like Deepfakes. This example underscores how AI tools could potentially sway public opinion in elections.
China has already experimented with such tactics during Taiwan’s elections, where hackers affiliated with the Chinese government attempted to sway public opinion against anti-China politicians by disseminating AI-generated content. This marked the first instance of a state-sponsored entity using such tactics to influence foreign elections. Similarly, during Taiwan’s elections, the Beijing-backed hackers group Storm 1376 actively shared AI-generated content, including false audio and memes, to influence public opinion.
Moreover, Microsoft asserts that China has begun using AI tools to influence presidential campaigns in the United States. Through social media platforms, China aims to sow discord by raising divisive issues and manipulating voting-related statistics using AI tools.
In recent months, there has been an uptick in the use of Chinese AI-generated content in various incidents, including the derailment of a train in Kentucky in November 2023, the Maui wildfires in August 2023, the release of Japanese nuclear wastewater into the sea, and debates surrounding drug use and immigration policy in the United States.
The emergence of AI as a tool for election interference poses a significant threat to democratic processes worldwide
It underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and vigilance to safeguard the integrity of elections against foreign interference. As India braces for the Lok Sabha elections, the specter of AI-driven manipulation looms large, necessitating a proactive approach to counter such threats and uphold the principles of democracy.