China tests US voter fault lines and ramps AI content to boost its geopolitical interests
Microsoft On the IssuesApr 05
Microsoft: China's AI Will Disrupt US, SKorea, India Elections
The Facts
On Friday, Microsoft's threat intelligence report warned that China plans to influence upcoming elections in the US, India, and South Korea using AI-generated material, with Taiwan's presidential election serving as a practice run.
China and North Korea are reportedly sponsoring groups to develop and spread AI-generated content on social media to advance their positions. While the impact is currently projected to be low, Microsoft warned against its potential growth.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Microsoft's Threat Intelligence report presents a strong and unequivocal warning about the potential threat posed by Chinese and North Korean cyber warriors. These groups might attempt to disrupt the upcoming high-profile elections by utilizing AI-generated content to manipulate voters. China, in particular, has militarized social media platforms like TikTok and is using various tools such as memes, videos, and audio to try to influence voters their way. This threat must be urgently addressed.
Pro-China narrative
China's policy remains clear. Beijing does not interfere in other nations' internal affairs — including general elections. Accordingly, China will not disrupt the US 2024 presidential election. President Joe Biden received assurances of this by President Xi Jinping when the two met last November. Instead, China hopes the two countries can build a relationship that respects each other's sovereignty and promotes peace and prosperity.
Nerd narrative
There is an 80% chance that the United States government either ban TikTok or force a sale before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.