Microsoft discovers that Russian influence efforts aimed at the US election have started.
Microsoft announced on Wednesday, April 17, that, albeit more slowly than in previous elections, Russian online efforts to sway the next US presidential election had ramped up during the last 45 days.
According to Microsoft researchers, accounts connected to Russia are spreading content that divides US viewers, condemning US assistance for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Microsoft announced on Wednesday, April 17, that, albeit more slowly than in previous elections, Russian online efforts to sway the next US presidential election had ramped up during the last 45 days.
Researchers at the tech giant stated in a paper that Russia-affiliated accounts are spreading content that divides US audiences, condemning US support for Ukraine in its battle with Russia.
Requests for comment from the Russian embassy in Washington were not answered, although the Kremlin declared last month that it would not interfere in the US election in November. Additionally, it refuted claims made by the US that it coordinated attempts to influence the US presidential elections in 2020 and 2016.
Though less than during the last elections, the analysts pointed out that Microsoft may see an increase in Russian activities in the coming months.
Microsoft stated that during the past two months, "messaging regarding Ukraine - via traditional media and social media - picked up steam with a mix of covert and overt campaigns from the minimum of 70 Russia-related activity sets that we monitor."
They said that the Russian Presidential Administration is associated with the most successful of these programs.
"In the end, US audiences repeat and repost this misinformation, probably unaware of its original source, after the narrative has circulated online for a number of days or weeks," says Microsoft.
Microsoft claimed to have observed a "notable uptick" in hacking activity by the Russian organization Star Blizzard, also known as Cold River, which specializes in attacking think tanks in the West.
"Star Blizzard may be initiating a series of hacking campaigns aimed at driving Kremlin outcomes leading up to November with its current focus on US political figures and policy circles."
American political commentators have highlighted the threat of foreign competitors using artificial intelligence maliciously to influence the US election. Microsoft, however, has shown that their study suggests that simple digital forgeries are less common than intricate ones. It went on to say that audio modifications had a greater impact than video.
The researchers noted that only a small number of nation-states' use of generative AI-enabled content had gained significant social media traction and that they had not actually deceived any audience.
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