According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Russia and China are seeking to tarnish America’s image in the world and increase division in American society, with artificial intelligence giving both governments new weapons to interfere in American politics and elections.
“Russia is considering how the US election results in 2024 may affect Western support for Ukraine and will likely seek to influence the election in ways that best serve its interests and goals. support,” the intelligence community said in its annual assessment of global threats.
“Russia’s influence actors have adapted their efforts to better hide their hand, using new technologies, such as generative AI, to improve their skills and reach Western audiences. can,” according to the assessment, which was presented to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Monday.
It said Russia would continue to use information warfare to divide Western alliances, damage America’s global reputation and “sow domestic discord among America’s partners around the world, including voters within the United States.” .
As for China, the Beijing government has adopted a more aggressive intelligence campaign to increase its influence and undermine US power, with tactics that mirror Russia’s point of view, the report said. Similar in appearance.
“Beijing’s increasing efforts to actively exploit perceived American social divisions using its online personas move it closer to Moscow’s playbook for influence operations,” it said. China “may seek to influence the 2024 U.S. election at some level because it wishes to sideline China’s critics and widen American social divides.”
The assessment states that Chinese government “actors have increased their capabilities to conduct covert influence operations and disseminate disinformation.” “TikTok accounts are operated by the PRC. [People’s Republic of China] The propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the 2022 US midterm elections.
China is now becoming more sophisticated in its influence efforts and experimenting with artificial intelligence software, the report said.
Asked about foreign adversaries using AI-powered tools to spread disinformation ahead of the 2024 election, FBI Director Christopher Wray said at the hearing that “AI is something that all of our The main opponents are looking hard to increase their efforts.”
He added: “We’ve seen it used in a variety of settings. Whether it’s used specifically to target voters, I’m not sure I can say. But we engage in information warfare. are actively concerned about this as the latest wrinkle in long-standing efforts to be
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., about the potential threat posed by TikTok. Under questioning, Wray acknowledged that TikTok’s US branch could be directed by the Chinese government to use algorithms that could target specific political candidates in US elections.
“That’s my understanding,” Wray said.
The Democratic chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner of Virginia, warned that an array of US dissidents is spreading disinformation ahead of elections in the US and dozens of other countries this year.
“And I am deeply concerned that democracy, including in the United States, is more at risk than ever from these foreign adversaries. Bad actors like Russia are particularly motivated to intervene, given what is at stake in Ukraine. There is,” Warner said at the hearing.
Iran, which has forged closer ties with Russia since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, is also expected to try to sow division in the U.S., the intelligence assessment said. will continue its information operations, possibly including interference in the 2024 elections.
“Iran will continue to exert adverse influence in the Middle East and other regions, including seeking to undermine the US political process and foment discord,” it said.
“Prior to the 2024 U.S. election, Iran may seek to influence U.S. interests, including targeting U.S. elections, and has demonstrated its willingness and ability to do so in the past,” the assessment said. was demonstrated”.