China using AI-powered social media accounts to influence US election, Microsoft warns

An expert said Xi Jinping's government is 'doubling down' on efforts to disrupt the US election with a flurry of AI-generated memes, original footage and infographics about divisive issues

Leigh Mcmanus

17:28, 06 Apr 2024

Xi Jinping's government is 'doubling down' on efforts to disrupt the US election(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

China will use artificial intelligence-powered social media accounts to sow division in the lead up to the next US presidential election, an expert has warned.

Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) general manager Clint Watts claimed Beijing is systematically harnessing social media to influence the decision between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

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Watts said Xi Jinping's government is "doubling down" on efforts to disrupt the election with a flurry of AI-generated memes, original footage and infographics.

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AI-generated memes, original footage and infographics are being used(Image: Microsoft)

Watts said: "China is using fake social media accounts to poll voters on what divides them most to sow division and possibly influence the outcome of the US presidential election in its favour... China has also increased its use of AI-generated content to further its goals around the world."

He said the ploy is part of a canny effort to understand voting behaviours. "In recent months, there has been an increase in, effectively, polling questions," said Watts.

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Watt said the ploy is part of a canny effort to understand voting behaviours

Watts said the ploy is part of a canny effort to understand voting behaviours(Image: Microsoft)

"This indicates a deliberate effort to understand better which US voter demographic supports what issue or position." The polls are used to establish "which topics are the most divisive ahead of the main phase of the US presidential election", he said.

He added: "These accounts nearly exclusively post about divisive US domestic issues such as global warming, US border policies, drug use, immigration, and racial tensions.

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US President Joe Biden (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the US last year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"They use original videos, memes, and infographics as well as recycled content from other high-profile political accounts."

Watts warned the same effort could be used by China on other nations. "With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea and the United States, we assess that China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests," Watts said.

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