Microsoft Threat Intelligence has recently released a report that reveals China is using AI-generated media to influence elections in East Asian countries as well as in the United States. The report highlights several examples of Chinese propaganda actors creating AI-generated memes, videos, and audio with the aim of generating outrage and manipulating election outcomes in East Asia.
In addition, Chinese government-linked accounts have been identified posting AI-generated content aimed at inciting chaos in the US. For instance, an AI-generated picture was falsely attributed to the 2023 fires in Hawaii as a US-made “weather weapon.” Another piece of AI-generated content attempted to sow mistrust in the government following a train derailment in Kentucky in November.
The report states that many of the Chinese social media messages urge followers to comment on which presidential candidates they support, indicating an effort to gather intelligence on key voting demographics within the US. While Microsoft warns that China’s influence attempts may prove to be effective in the future, it notes that the current threat level is low.
This latest report from Microsoft follows a threat assessment released by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which highlighted China’s efforts to undermine democracy and cast doubts on US leadership through various means. Both reports mention Spamouflage accounts linked to the Chinese Communist Party that share divisive and frequently AI-generated content.
The US government report also draws parallels between China’s recent influence campaign and Russia’s tactics during the 2016 US presidential election, where troll farms were used to spread disinformation. Additionally, it was reported earlier this year that during his time as president, Donald Trump authorized a CIA program aimed at smearing the Chinese government on social media.
Overall, these reports raise concerns about China’s increasing use of technology to manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic institutions around the world.
