Russia and Iran Using AI to Interfere in US Elections: DNI Report

According to U.S. intelligence officials, both Russia and Iran have begun leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to influence elections in the United States. The warning was issued recently, highlighting how foreign actors are adapting quickly to the capabilities of AI to produce convincing, synthetic content aimed at shaping public perception.

An official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated, “Foreign actors are using AI to more quickly and convincingly tailor synthetic content.” The intelligence community considers AI primarily as a malign influence tool that, while not yet revolutionary, is acting as an accelerant for misinformation efforts.

Previously observed in elections abroad, this tactic has now surfaced in the American political landscape. Intelligence reports indicate that Russian operatives have manipulated speeches by Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting a coordinated effort to sway public sentiment.

“Russia has generated the most AI content related to the election across several mediums, including text, images, audio, and video,” the official noted. This AI-generated content focuses specifically on prominent U.S. figures and aligns with Russia’s broader strategy to bolster the former president’s candidacy while undermining Vice President Harris and the Democratic Party, often through conspiratorial messages.

The use of AI has allowed Russian influence efforts to exploit divisive issues, according to the intelligence report. It was confirmed that various edits and alterations were made to videos of Harris, effectively misrepresenting her in unfavorable comparisons to her opponents.

Russia’s manipulation tactics reportedly cover a wide range—from personal attacks on Harris to using staged videos that distort her public image. This indicates a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. electoral process and of the influential states that could be targeted.

In addition to Russia, Iran is also employing AI technology to assist in generating false social media content and articles aimed at discrediting former President Donald Trump, believed to be a strategic move in its electoral influence campaign. Iran’s tactics similarly involve creating division through contentious subjects, with immigration being a primary focal point, perceived by them as a divisive issue within the U.S.

An ODNI official shared, “One of the benefits of generative AI models is to overcome various language barriers.” This access means Iran can amplify specific issues, using AI tools to infiltrate discussions and sow discord among American citizens.

Past assessments indicate that Iran may favor Vice President Harris in the upcoming election, highlighting its actions as part of a broader strategy to influence the political landscape.

Meanwhile, China has also been implicated in using AI to generate fake news anchors and spread pro-China propaganda on social media. The intelligence community describes AI as an accelerant for influence operations, although it currently lacks the ability to create content that is fully believable.

Adversaries appear to be using AI not only to generate content but also to engage directly in comment sections, further spreading misinformation. The potential for repeating the chaos of the 2020 election has captured the attention of the intelligence community, which is closely monitoring developments as the election date approaches.

As foreign actors continue these influence campaigns, they maintain a strategy focused on inciting division and undermining democratic processes in the United States. Notably, during the Democratic primaries, the deployment of an AI-generated robocall intended to mislead voters resulted in criminal charges against the individual responsible and an FCC fine. Intelligence officials have emphasized that if a foreign adversary were to employ similar tactics again, it would be a major concern.

The threat posed by AI in the context of electoral integrity is now a pressing issue that U.S. officials are actively confronting, underscoring the significance of vigilance in safeguarding democratic values.