China is increasing its use of AI-generated content and fake social media accounts to sow division in the United States and elsewhere, according to a new report from Microsoft's Threat Center.
Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, said in a report released late Thursday that the Chinese government is “doubling down” on targets and becoming more sophisticated in its influence operations.
“China used fake social media accounts to poll voters on what was most divisive, sowing division and influencing the outcome of the U.S. presidential election,” Watts wrote in the report. “It could have a beneficial impact.”
“China is also increasing its use of AI-generated content to advance its goals not only in the United States but around the world.”
The report says Chinese influence operations continue to “piggyback” on events such as the Kentucky train derailment and the Maui wildfires to foster distrust of the U.S. government.
Opinion polls on controversial domestic issues in the United States have revealed, “Ahead of the main campaign for the U.S. presidential election, we are looking into which U.S. voters support what issues and positions, and which topics are the most polarizing. “This represents a deliberate effort to better understand what is going on,” Watts wrote.
The report concluded that so far there is little evidence that influence operations have been successful in swaying public opinion.
The Threat Center reported late last year that social media accounts “linked” to the Chinese government used social media accounts to impersonate U.S. voters in an effort to influence the 2022 midterm elections.
“This activity continues, with these accounts posting almost exclusively about divisive domestic issues in the United States, including global warming, U.S. border policies, drug use, immigration, and racial tensions,” Watts wrote. he wrote.
“They use original videos, memes, and infographics, as well as recycled content from other prominent political accounts.”
Watts said Microsoft has seen a surge in the use of AI-generated content to power China-related online influence operations aimed at Taiwan's presidential election in January.
“With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea, and the United States, we believe China will at least create and amplify AI-generated content to serve its own interests.” wrote Watts.
The Microsoft report also noted that North Korea has begun to use AI to steal cryptocurrencies, attack supply chains, and gather military intelligence more effectively.
Dateline:
San Francisco, USA
Article type: News Service
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