Meta disrupts 20 covert influence operations amid AI concerns

In 2024, in response to a rise in covert influence operations around the world, Meta has taken decisive action, disrupting approximately 20 such activities. Despite widespread fears regarding the potential misuse of artificial intelligence to interfere with elections, Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, noted that the anticipated AI-fueled manipulation did not manifest in a significant manner. Clegg highlighted that Russia continues to be the primary source of these covert operations. He mentioned a total of 39 networks disrupted since 2017, followed by activities originating from countries like Iran and China, indicating ongoing global challenges regarding information integrity. Additionally, Clegg reported that Meta experienced over 500,000 requests related to generating images of prominent political figures in the lead-up to the U.S. election, demonstrating a surge in interest while also reflecting the precarious nature of the current political landscape. Security experts at Meta identified a concerning trend where fake accounts were utilized to manipulate public discourse, addressing more than one operation every three weeks. Notably, these included tactics such as creating fictitious news websites linked to reputable news brands to undermine western support for Ukraine, showing Russia’s strategic approach to shaping narratives. Meta's analysis also touched on the shortcomings of the anticipated impact from generative AI in the electoral process. Although warnings regarding deepfakes and AI-driven disinformation had been prevalent, the actual influence observed was deemed modest and limited, with most deceptive content failing to have a substantial effect. Nevertheless, Clegg echoed the need for vigilance, suggesting that as AI tools develop, the threat of more sophisticated manipulation will likely increase, indicating a need for constant monitoring and adjustment of countermeasures. Amid these assertions, a recent conclusion by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security highlighted that AI-generated content had still played a role in shaping the discourse around the U.S. elections, particularly in amplifying misinformation while influencing political debates. The findings suggested a subtle yet concerning influence of AI on public perception and discourse, emphasizing the risk to democratic health, particularly with upcoming elections in both Australia and Canada in 2025. The research further illustrated how AI tools might inadvertently foster harmful narratives, as evidenced by misleading claims circulating during the recent elections.