Microsoft President Raises Concerns Over AI Use in Disinformation Campaigns
Speaking from Stockholm, Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, has addressed the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential use in disinformation campaigns during the upcoming European Parliamentary elections.
He revealed Microsoft’s ambitious plan to invest 33.7 billion Swedish crowns ($3.21 billion) over the next two years into expanding cloud and AI infrastructure in Sweden. Smith emphasized the importance of acknowledging the risks associated with AI, particularly the creation of deepfakes.
While acknowledging the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes in elections globally, including in countries like India, the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia, Smith reassured that Microsoft has not detected significant attempts to exploit AI in the European Parliamentary elections.
He highlighted instances of deepfake videos surfacing during India’s general election, where Bollywood actors criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a debunked Russian-language video on YouTube, which falsely claimed citizens were fleeing dictatorship in Poland for refuge in Belarus.
With the European Parliament election approaching, Microsoft has been actively training candidates to monitor and combat potential disinformation efforts.
Despite the absence of deepfakes in the elections thus far, Smith urged caution, stating that the situation is ongoing and that premature declarations of victory would be unwarranted.
Regarding other geopolitical developments, Smith mentioned the focus of Russian efforts on the Olympics and hinted at an upcoming report from Microsoft addressing related concerns. He noted the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ban the Russian Olympic Committee due to its recognition of regional Olympic councils in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
As the world braces for the impact of AI in various sectors, including politics, Microsoft’s proactive stance signals a growing awareness of the need to mitigate potential risks associated with emerging technologies.
