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On Thu, 24 Oct, 8:07 AM UTC
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Russia Smeared Kamala Harris With Deepfake Video, Microsoft Says
Russian trolls are using artificial intelligence, including a deepfake of Vice President Kamala Harris, to try influencing public opinion ahead the US election, according to new research from Microsoft Corp. The tactics have included deceptive editing, fake posts that seemed to be from credible organizations, and fabricated imagery designed to smear Harris, the Democratic candidate for president. State-controlled media outlets RT and Sputnik have helped spread AI-generated content in the US with limited success, Microsoft said. Russian influence actors used AI to fake audio of Harris speaking about former President Donald Trump at a rally.
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Microsoft says Russia trying to smear Harris with deepfake video, AI
Russia is attempting to "undermine" Vice President Harris's campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) generated videos while China has begun targeting a series of GOP congressional candidates ahead of November, according to a new report from Microsoft. The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, in a report published Wednesday, said Russian operatives have created AI-enhanced deepfake videos portraying Harris in an unfavorable light as the election approaches in nearly two weeks. In one video, Harris was "accused of illegally poaching in Zambia," while another clip falsely showed the vice president making a "crass reference" to the assassination attempts against former President Trump, the report said. Most of these AI-generated videos do not receive a lot of engagement, though one video with disinformation about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Harris's running mate, received more than 5 million views on the social media platform X in the first 24 hours, according to the report. The videos "underscore Russia's ongoing use of both traditional and AI-generated content to influence U.S. audiences and stoke political discord," the analysis stated. The report follows a series of previous findings from Microsoft and other companies detecting efforts by foreign adversaries to wield influence over next month's election. The National Intelligence Council on Tuesday said it expects these efforts to intensify in the days leading up to the election, while noting these attempts would not go undetected. Microsoft also observed increased activity from Chinese influence operations going after down-ballot Republican candidates and Congressional members that have publicly denounced the People's Republic of China (PRC) The targeted campaigns include those of Republican Reps. Michael McCaul (Texas) and Barry Moore (Ala.), along with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The group also targeted Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is not up for reelection this year. The group behind these efforts, dubbed Taizi Flood, "parroted antisemitic messages, amplified accusations of corruption and promoted opposition candidates," Microsoft said. One campaign criticized Moore's support for Israel and claimed the Alabama Republican used antisemitic language, the report found. Nearly two dozen Taizi Flood accounts also circulated posts accusing Rubio of involvement in a financial corruption scheme. It follows a series of other targeted operations against Rubio, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, over the past two years, Microsoft said. "China is becoming increasingly more aggressive and needs to be taken very seriously. China's goal is to shape American opinion on critical issues and target specific candidates, especially those they view as anti-China," Rubio said Wednesday. As for Blackburn, posts circulated earlier this year promoting her opponent, Tennessee State Rep. Gloria Johnson (D), while Taizi Flood accounts distributed content accusing McCaul of "abusing power for personal gain. The targeted lawmakers slammed these influence efforts on Tuesday, while noting they are not surprised. "We know that the CCP is antisemitic, so it isn't surprising that they are targeting me and other politicians who support Israel to try sow division in advance of the most important election in our lifetime," Moore wrote Tuesday. Blackburn said China's threats against her are "nothing new," especially in the wake of her scrutiny of TikTok's ties to ByteDance, the social media platform's Beijing-based parent company. "The CCP will continue to try to carry out their malign attacks against me, but nothing will deter me from the mission: breaking China," Blackburn wrote in a statement. McCaul said he "considers it a badge of honor" when the CCP "takes issue" with his work. McCaul is the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "The CCP cannot stand anyone who supports and gives a voice to those they oppress; their response is to sanction and attack," he wrote. "I've made standing up to the CCP a central part of my career because I believe they pose a generational threat to the United States and our interests around the globe, and I won't be intimidated by their scare tactics." A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy told The Hill presidential elections are domestic affairs for the U.S. and China has "no intention and will not interfere" with it. "Meanwhile, we hope that the US side will not make an issue of China in the election. The ownership of the relevant social media accounts should be determined on the basis of solid evidence," the spokesperson said. "In recent years, some US officials, politicians, media and companies have accused China of using news websites and social media accounts to spread so-called disinformation in the US. Such allegations are full of malicious speculations against China, which China firmly opposes. The Hill also reached out to the Harris campaign and Russian embassy to the U.S. for comment. Microsoft's report further found that Iranian actors are targeting election-related websites and media outlets. In one campaign, the actors circulated content urging Americans to boycott the elections in the wake of the candidates' support for Israel.
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Microsoft reveals that Russia and China are using AI-generated content and deepfakes to target U.S. political figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and several Republican lawmakers, ahead of the upcoming elections.
Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center has uncovered a concerning trend in the lead-up to the U.S. elections: Russian operatives are leveraging artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos aimed at smearing Vice President Kamala Harris. These AI-enhanced videos portray Harris in an unfavorable light, with one falsely accusing her of illegal poaching in Zambia and another fabricating a crass reference to assassination attempts against former President Trump 12.
The tech giant reports that while most of these AI-generated videos have not gained significant traction, one piece of disinformation about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, managed to amass over 5 million views on the social media platform X within 24 hours 2.
In addition to Russian efforts, Microsoft has identified increased activity from Chinese influence operations. These campaigns, attributed to a group dubbed "Taizi Flood," are targeting down-ballot Republican candidates and Congressional members who have publicly criticized China 2.
The targeted individuals include:
Taizi Flood's tactics involve spreading antisemitic messages, amplifying corruption accusations, and promoting opposition candidates. For instance, the group circulated posts accusing Senator Rubio of involvement in a financial corruption scheme 2.
The targeted lawmakers have responded to these influence efforts, with many viewing them as a testament to their strong stance against China. Rep. Barry Moore stated, "We know that the CCP is antisemitic, so it isn't surprising that they are targeting me and other politicians who support Israel" 2.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn noted that China's threats against her are "nothing new," particularly in light of her scrutiny of TikTok's ties to its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance 2.
Microsoft's report also highlights Iranian actors targeting election-related websites and media outlets. One campaign urged Americans to boycott the elections due to candidates' support for Israel 2.
The use of AI in these influence campaigns marks a significant escalation in the sophistication of foreign interference attempts. Russian state-controlled media outlets RT and Sputnik have been instrumental in spreading AI-generated content in the U.S., albeit with limited success so far 1.
The National Intelligence Council anticipates an intensification of these efforts as the election approaches. However, they assure that such attempts will not go undetected 2.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy denied any intention to interfere with U.S. elections, stating, "We hope that the US side will not make an issue of China in the election" 2.
As AI technology continues to advance, the potential for its misuse in political influence campaigns remains a growing concern for election integrity and national security.
Reference
[1]
Microsoft has uncovered a Russian-linked disinformation campaign spreading false narratives about Vice President Kamala Harris. The tech giant warns of potential interference in the upcoming U.S. election through AI-generated content and social media manipulation.
8 Sources
8 Sources
Russian-backed social media accounts are spreading disinformation about Vice President Kamala Harris, aiming to undermine her and sow discord in the U.S. This campaign comes as Harris takes on a more prominent role in the Biden administration.
2 Sources
2 Sources
Microsoft warns of escalating online interference efforts by Russia, China, and Iran as the 2024 US presidential election approaches, with each nation employing distinct strategies and leveraging AI technologies.
4 Sources
4 Sources
US intelligence officials report that Russia, Iran, and China are using artificial intelligence to enhance their election interference efforts. Russia is identified as the most prolific producer of AI-generated content aimed at influencing the 2024 US presidential election.
10 Sources
10 Sources
US intelligence officials confirm that Russian operatives are using AI-enabled disinformation campaigns to interfere in the upcoming US presidential election, targeting Democratic candidates with manipulated content.
6 Sources
6 Sources