The US says Russia used artificial intelligence to spread disinformation about the election

A Moscow-based non-profit organization closely linked to Russia’s main intelligence department Using artificial intelligence to spread misinformation Online during the 2024 presidential election, with servers based in the United States, the Treasury Department said in a press release on Tuesday.

The agency says the Center for Geopolitical Expertise used artificial intelligence tools to spread misinformation about candidates in the US presidential campaign, and that it created fake videos of a vice presidential candidate. The agency did not identify the candidates by name.

The department asserts that with financial support from Russia’s GRU intelligence agency, the Geopolitical Expertise Center used “generative AI tools to rapidly create disinformation” to distribute across “a massive network of websites designed to mimic legitimate news outlets to create a false nexus between stories.” And also to obscure their Russian origin.”

The department says GRU helped the nonprofit use a “network of U.S.-based facilitators” to “build and maintain its AI support server; maintain a network of at least 100 sites used in disinformation operations; and contribute to the cost of renting the apartment.” Where the server is located.

No names were mentioned of the individuals or entities who served as “facilitators,” and no details about the network of sites were provided. It is uncertain to what extent these sites still appear via Google, social media, or some other online mechanism.

The Treasury Department, the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the advisory group of experts did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Over the past decade, Russia has engaged in online election disinformation campaigns around the world. This included an email leak from… 2016 Bundestag breakthrough In Germany to promote negative information about Chancellor Angela Merkel’s policies Bot activity on social media during the Brexit referendumHe spread false stories about French President Emmanuel Macron and raised the profile of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen during the French elections. 2017 elections.

In the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election, the Russian Internet Research Agency He created thousands of fake profiles on social media To post divisive content online, often in favor of Donald Trump, according to a report released by the US Senate in late 2018.

The use of artificial intelligence is a more recent development. During the 2024 presidential election, Russia began using artificial intelligence to spread election disinformation at a faster pace and with greater targeting, according to Bellingcat journalist Chriso Grozev. The US government has worked on Disrupting Russian AI-led disinformation campaignswhich will still be A A major topic for countries around the world.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the department imposed sanctions on the Center for Geopolitical Expertise and its director, Valery Korovin.