Russia is employing generative artificial intelligence in its online deception efforts, but a recent Meta security report indicates these tactics have not been very effective.

According to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, AI-driven strategies have only led to minor improvements in productivity and content generation for malicious actors. Meta has successfully disrupted many deceptive influence operations.

Concerns Over Election Interference

As fears grow that generative AI could be used to mislead voters in the United States and elsewhere, Meta’s initiatives to combat “coordinated inauthentic behavior” are increasingly critical.

David Agranovich, Meta’s security policy director, stated that Russia continues to be the primary source of such behavior, utilizing fake Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, these efforts have primarily targeted Ukraine and its allies.

Implications for the Upcoming US Elections

With the US elections on the horizon, Meta anticipates that Russia-backed online deception campaigns will focus on discrediting political candidates who advocate for Ukraine.

Facebook has faced criticism for being a significant platform for election-related disinformation. Russian operatives have previously exploited Facebook and other US-based social media to create political discord during multiple US elections, including the 2016 election.

The Role of Generative AI

Experts express concern over the potential for a massive influx of disinformation from malicious actors, especially given the accessibility of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E, which can produce content rapidly.

AI is being utilized not just for generating images and videos but also for translating text and creating fake news articles.

Meta’s Approach to Combat Deception

When identifying deceptive accounts, Meta focuses on behavioral patterns rather than the content posted.

Influence campaigns often extend across various online platforms. Meta has observed that posts on X, previously known as Twitter, are used to enhance the credibility of fabricated content. Meta collaborates with X and other internet companies, emphasizing the necessity for a coordinated effort to combat misinformation.

“As far as Twitter (X) is concerned, they are still going through a transition,” Agranovich remarked regarding X’s response to deception alerts. “Many of the individuals we previously worked with there have moved on.”

X has significantly reduced its trust and safety teams and content moderation practices, leading researchers to label it as a fertile ground for disinformation.