Microsoft Flags China's AI Tactics Against US, South Korea, and India Elections

Microsoft has warned that state-backed cyber groups from China are likely to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to influence elections in the United States, South Korea, and India, citing increased experimentation with AI-generated memes, videos, and audio. The company's threat intelligence team has reported a particular concern for high-profile elections slated for 2024, highlighting that North Korean groups are also expected to participate in these disruptive activities.

The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) detailed that Chinese-affiliated actors are creating AI-generated content on social media, aimed at amplifying divisive issues within the US and criticizing the current administration. Notably, these actors have been observed impersonating US voters to gauge opinions on political topics and promote controversial narratives, as seen in their activity surrounding domestic issues in the UK and the US. Although the impact of these AI-generated disinformation campaigns has been considered minor so far, there is potential for their effectiveness to increase over time.

The use of these tactics was first identified during the January presidential election in Taiwan, marking the first instance of a nation-state actor using AI to attempt to influence a foreign election. The State Department has accused the Chinese government of spending billions annually on a global disinformation campaign to further Beijing's geopolitical objectives and suppress criticism. With the emergence of more sophisticated AI tools, there are growing concerns about the potential for such technologies to flood future elections with misleading content.