China Sowing Division in US, Disinfo Lessons from Taiwan Elections, TikTok’s Separation from ByteDance
14 April 2024 | Edition 30
Welcome to AI ThreatScape!
In this edition, we dive into:
Propaganda: China amping up its efforts to sow division in America, says new Microsoft report
Disinformation: Lessons from China’s AI-driven meddling in Taiwan elections
Technology: What does TikTok’s separation from its Chinese parent mean?
PROPAGANDA
China Amping Up its Efforts to Sow Division in America, Says New Microsoft Report
Polling Americans
China upping its propaganda against the US isn’t news anymore. However, China’s continuous efforts to come up with new tactics to sow division among Americans remain noteworthy.
According to Microsoft’s latest report, China is deploying fake social media accounts to poll voters on divisive issues. The goal is to sow division and potentially sway the outcome of the US presidential election in its favour.
How it's being done: Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-affiliated actors are using deceptive social media accounts. They're posing contentious questions on US domestic issues, promoting them through a network of about 175 websites in more than 58 languages. The aim is to understand the key divisions among U.S. voters. This could help gather intelligence before the US presidential election.
Spike in Use of AI Content
Chinese AI-generated content is increasingly targeting various topics to influence opinions and sow division. These include the Kentucky train derailment, Maui wildfires, and the disposal of Japanese nuclear wastewater. Additionally, issues such as drug use in the US, immigration policies, and racial tensions are being exploited.
Why Does This Matter?
However, China’s geopolitical priorities have remained unchanged. Instead, China has doubled down on its targets and enhanced the sophistication of its influence operations. It’s primarily focused on:
The South Pacific islands
The South China Sea region
The US defense industrial base
Despite Chinese efforts, there’s limited evidence to suggest they have successfully swayed public opinion. But, it would be wrong to assume that these efforts would continue to have little impact. Even a minor sway in public opinion can make a big difference.
DISINFORMATION
Lessons from China’s AI-Driven Meddling in Taiwan Elections
Tough Luck China
Taiwan went into elections in January knowing fully well that China would try and play spoilsport. After all, China has not been too happy with Taiwan’s pro-US stance. It would be doing everything in its power to get Taiwanese voters to elect a pro-China leader.
To achieve this, it went hard on its influence operations directed at specific targets. Fortunately, Taiwan was well prepared to counter the barrage of Chinese disinformation that it was going to be hit with. And they came out on top. The Taiwanese people elected Lai Ching-te, a pro-US leader as their next President.
China's plans were dented. But there are some strong lessons to take away. These lessons also indicate how China may interfere in the US elections later this year.
Some Tactics at Play
AI-Enabled Manipulation: AI-generated anchors, memes, videos and audio clips were produced with false narratives aimed at influencing voter perception. In one video, the AI-Anchor claimed to reveal information about Lai’s mistress and illegitimate children. In another AI-generated audio clip, it’s alleged that Lai was an informant in the 1980s.
Undermining US’ Credibility: Taiwanese researchers documented at least 84 narratives propagated by China. The objective was common - Create doubts about the US position as the global superpower. Some of the narratives spoke about the US being a fake ally who would abandon Taiwan. Other narratives blamed Americans for creating chaos across the world, while China brought order.
Attempts to Buy Taiwanese Influencers: China aggressively pursued its attempts to buy Taiwanese social media accounts and onboard influencers. The goal was to promote its narratives and flood online platforms with loads of content to manipulate algorithms and boost dissemination.
Why Does This Matter?
China didn’t succeed in its plans to help elect a pro-China leader. But, Taiwan's successful countering of Chinese disinformation can be attributed to its capabilities. Taiwan anticipated Chinese interference and invested efforts in building capabilities.
A recent exercise run by authorities in the US showed that the country is not prepared to deal with a targeted election interference campaign. The lessons from Taiwan are an indication of what’s coming. Key question is - Will China be successful in disrupting the US Presidential election? This will become clearer closer to the election.
TECHNOLOGY
What Does TikTok’s Separation from its Chinese Parent Mean?
A Critical Asset
In March, the US House of Representatives passed a bill with strong support, pushing for TikTok's separation from its Chinese parent company.
Why this push for separation? Because it has gotten to a point where TikTok is deemed as a national security threat owing to its Chinese ownership (read CCP!)
Gone are the days when explosives were the sole weapons of destruction; now, winning hearts and minds through surveillance and viral ideas is the battlefield of the 21st century.
TikTok employs an algorithm fueled by cutting-edge artificial intelligence for this purpose. The Chinese government sees TitkTok’s algorithm as vital. Such is its importance that they added it to a restricted tech list in 2020, barring its export without government approval.
Power of Persuasive AI
As a tool, TikTok has proven incredibly valuable — for social influence campaigns and espionage. It has been used to manipulate US citizens and spread divisive content, all in line with the Chinese Communist Party’s goals.
Why Does This Matter?
TikTok's divestiture aims to stop a foreign power from controlling a social media giant that many Americans rely on daily, shielding them from Chinese influence.
If this bill becomes law, the president could make any foreign-owned social media sell their platforms if US intelligence sees them as a national security risk.
WRAPPING UP
That’s a wrap for this edition of AI ThreatScape!
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