US spies accuse Russia of using AI to target election – Reuters

American intelligence officials have reportedly claimed that Moscow is trying to boost Donald Trump’s chances against Kamala Harris

Russia is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to interfere with the US presidential election and is more adept at doing so than any other state, an unnamed US intelligence official has alleged, as quoted by Reuters. Moscow has repeatedly denied any type of interference in foreign elections, including in the US, saying it respects whatever choice voters make. 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) made the claims during a briefing to the media on the alleged deployment of AI technology by Russia and other nations to influence the US presidential vote in November, Reuters reported.   

AI content made by the Russian authorities is “consistent with Russia’s broader efforts to boost the former president’s [Donald Trump’s] candidacy and denigrate the vice president [Kamala Harris] and the Democratic Party, including through conspiratorial narratives,” the representative claimed, as cited by the news agency.

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According to the official, Russia is a much more sophisticated player in the field and has a better understanding of the US electoral system. He also cited the announcement by the Department of Justice in July, when officials claimed they had disrupted an alleged AI-enabled campaign to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda involving 1,000 social media accounts in the US and abroad.

China and Iran were also among the nations condemned by Washington for allegedly using AI in an effort to spread their influence. According to the official, Beijing uses the technology in broader operations to shape global views of China and amplify divisive US political issues. Tehran is accused of generating posts for social media and writing “inauthentic news articles for websites that claim to be real news sites” with the help of AI.

Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the upcoming US presidential election is “not a priority interest” for Russia, noting that Moscow is “focused on domestic problems and agenda.”