China’s ongoing efforts to influence Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and legislative election have turned to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to spread disinformation campaigns. While experts acknowledge the dangers of such tactics, there is a growing need for Taiwan to counter these cognitive warfare strategies. Ethan Tu, the founder of Taiwan AI Labs, has utilized generative AI to analyze social media trends related to information manipulation. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of ramping up efforts to address these challenges in the long run.
Information manipulation in the current election has become increasingly sophisticated, making it harder to identify fake accounts. With the emergence of generative AI, these accounts have diversified their roles and made their comments more diverse. Some of the most influential platforms in this election include YouTube and TikTok, where short videos discussing various topics aligned with Chinese state media narratives are shared. The goal is to frame China as a peacemaker while portraying the U.S. as an instigator of conflicts.
Furthermore, Facebook has become a breeding ground for spreading these videos to influential communities. Specific accounts aligned with Chinese state media’s narratives leave comments under the Facebook accounts of the three presidential candidates, both in Mandarin and English. This multi-pronged approach aims to increase public distrust of the Biden administration in the U.S.
However, debunking rumors perpetuated by generative AI can be challenging as it may amplify correct information while creating new rumors. Taiwan’s current fact-checking mechanism has proven ineffective in countering such tactics. To combat disinformation campaigns enabled by generative AI, it is crucial to employ generative AI technology to detect trends. Coordinated efforts among research teams can then be made to share relevant information with the public.
Looking ahead, Tu warns that cognitive warfare initiated by authoritarian states like China and Russia is likely to become more prevalent. Social media platforms and generative technologies are being weaponized to manipulate people’s free will, resulting in decreased public pushback against cognitive warfare. Establishing an effective mechanism to address these challenges requires international cooperation, with Taiwan playing a pivotal role in sharing its knowledge and experiences. Collaborative research on cutting-edge technologies will be essential in combating cognitive operations and preventing authoritarian states from influencing global opinions.
The source of the article is from the blog dk1250.com