Microsoft has issued a warning indicating that China may leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to influence the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India. Following a trial run during the Taiwan presidential elections, Chinese state-backed cyber groups, potentially supported by North Korea, are expected to target not only India but also the United States and South Korea.
According to the report by Microsoft Threat Intelligence, China aims to create and amplify AI-generated content to serve its interests. While the immediate impact on the Lok Sabha election results may be low, China’s increasing use of memes, videos, and audio augmentation is anticipated to persist and potentially become more effective over time.
It has been identified that Chinese cyber actor Flax Typhoon, known for targeting the telecommunications sector, has engaged in attacks on various regions, including India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the United States. Additionally, a Chinese state-linked hacker group claimed responsibility for targeting key offices of the Indian government and prominent businesses such as Reliance and Air India.
Another Chinese Communist Party-linked actor named Storm-1376 has disseminated videos featuring AI-generated anchors in Mandarin and English. These videos falsely claimed the involvement of the United States and India in the unrest in Myanmar, which has been experiencing civil conflict following a military coup in February 2021.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the threat posed by deepfake technology generated through AI tools. The Prime Minister expressed concerns about the potential misuse of such technology to spread misinformation.
It is worth noting that China also attempted a disinformation campaign during the Taiwan presidential election by utilizing AI-generated content. Moreover, there has been an increase in the use of AI-generated TV news anchors, with fabricated videos surfacing on platforms like YouTube.
Overall, the report underscores the evolving landscape of AI-generated content and the potential influence it may have on global elections if not adequately addressed. As countries continue to grapple with the challenges posed by AI in the realm of politics, vigilance and proactive measures become essential to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes.
