New Delhi:

Microsoft has warned that China is gearing up to disrupt the upcoming elections in India, the United States and South Korea by using artificial intelligence-generated content. The warning comes after China conducted a trial run during Taiwan’s presidential election, employing AI to influence the outcome.

Across the world, at least 64 countries, in addition to the European Union, are expected to hold national elections. These countries collectively account for approximately 49 per cent of the global population.

According to Microsoft’s threat intelligence team, Chinese state-backed cyber groups, along with involvement from North Korea, are expected to target several elections scheduled for 2024. Microsoft said that China will likely deploy AI-generated content via social media to sway public opinion in favour of their interests during these elections.

“With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea and the United States, we assess that China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests,” Microsoft said in its statement.

Threat Of AI In Elections

The threat posed by political advertisements employing AI technology to produce deceptive and false content, including “deepfakes” or fabricating events that never took place, is significant in a crucial poll year. Such tactics aim to mislead the public regarding candidates’ statements, stances on various issues, and even the authenticity of certain events. If allowed to go unchecked, these manipulative attempts have the potential to undermine voters’ ability to make well-informed decisions.

While the immediate impact of AI-generated content remains relatively low, Microsoft warned that China’s increasing experimentation with this technology could potentially become more effective over time. The tech giant noted that China’s previous attempt to influence Taiwan’s election involved the dissemination of AI-generated disinformation, marking the first instance of a state-backed entity utilising such tactics in a foreign election.

During the Taiwanese election, a Beijing-backed group known as Storm 1376, or Spamouflage, was notably active, Microsoft said. This group circulated AI-generated content, including fake audio endorsements and memes, aimed at discrediting certain candidates and influencing voter perceptions. The use of AI-generated TV news anchors, is a tactic also employed by Iran.

“Storm-1376 has promoted a series of AI-generated memes of Taiwan’s then-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai, and other Taiwanese officials as well as Chinese dissidents around the world. These have included an increasing use of AI-generated TV news anchors that Storm-1376 has deployed since at least February 2023,” Microsoft said.

AI Influence In US Affairs

Microsoft pointed out that Chinese groups continue to conduct influence campaigns in the United States, leveraging social media platforms to pose divisive questions and gather intelligence on key voting demographics.

“There has been an increased use of Chinese AI-generated content in recent months, attempting to influence and sow division in the US and elsewhere on a range of topics including the train derailment in Kentucky in November 2023, the Maui wildfires in August 2023, the disposal of Japanese nuclear wastewater, drug use in the US as well as immigration policies and racial tensions in the country. There is little evidence these efforts have been successful in swaying opinion,” Microsoft stated.

The use of AI in US election campaigns is not new. In the lead-up to the 2024 New Hampshire Democratic primaries, an AI-generated phone call mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice, advising voters against participating in the polling.

The call falsely insinuated that voters should withhold their votes for the general election in November instead. Upon hearing this message, the average voter could easily have been misled into believing that President Biden himself had endorsed this directive, potentially leading to their disenfranchisement.

Although there is no evidence of Chinese involvement in the New Hampshire episode, the incident marks one of many such instances where AI posed a direct threat to democratic practices.

Road Ahead For India

India’s general elections are scheduled to begin on April 19, with the results set to be declared on June 4. The electoral process will unfold across seven phases, with the first phase commencing on April 19, followed by the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and culminating with the seventh phase on June 1.

The current term of the 17th Lok Sabha Assembly is set to conclude on June 16.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already provided guidelines and protocols for promptly identifying and responding to false information and misinformation.

Last month, representatives from OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, met with members of the ICI and delivered a presentation to the commission members outlining the measures being undertaken to prevent the misuse of AI in the upcoming elections.

New Delhi:

Microsoft has warned that China is gearing up to disrupt the upcoming elections in India, the United States and South Korea by using artificial intelligence-generated content. The warning comes after China conducted a trial run during Taiwan’s presidential election, employing AI to influence the outcome.

Across the world, at least 64 countries, in addition to the European Union, are expected to hold national elections. These countries collectively account for approximately 49 per cent of the global population.

According to Microsoft’s threat intelligence team, Chinese state-backed cyber groups, along with involvement from North Korea, are expected to target several elections scheduled for 2024. Microsoft said that China will likely deploy AI-generated content via social media to sway public opinion in favour of their interests during these elections.

“With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea and the United States, we assess that China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests,” Microsoft said in its statement.

Threat Of AI In Elections

The threat posed by political advertisements employing AI technology to produce deceptive and false content, including “deepfakes” or fabricating events that never took place, is significant in a crucial poll year. Such tactics aim to mislead the public regarding candidates’ statements, stances on various issues, and even the authenticity of certain events. If allowed to go unchecked, these manipulative attempts have the potential to undermine voters’ ability to make well-informed decisions.

While the immediate impact of AI-generated content remains relatively low, Microsoft warned that China’s increasing experimentation with this technology could potentially become more effective over time. The tech giant noted that China’s previous attempt to influence Taiwan’s election involved the dissemination of AI-generated disinformation, marking the first instance of a state-backed entity utilising such tactics in a foreign election.

During the Taiwanese election, a Beijing-backed group known as Storm 1376, or Spamouflage, was notably active, Microsoft said. This group circulated AI-generated content, including fake audio endorsements and memes, aimed at discrediting certain candidates and influencing voter perceptions. The use of AI-generated TV news anchors, is a tactic also employed by Iran.

“Storm-1376 has promoted a series of AI-generated memes of Taiwan’s then-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai, and other Taiwanese officials as well as Chinese dissidents around the world. These have included an increasing use of AI-generated TV news anchors that Storm-1376 has deployed since at least February 2023,” Microsoft said.

AI Influence In US Affairs

Microsoft pointed out that Chinese groups continue to conduct influence campaigns in the United States, leveraging social media platforms to pose divisive questions and gather intelligence on key voting demographics.

“There has been an increased use of Chinese AI-generated content in recent months, attempting to influence and sow division in the US and elsewhere on a range of topics including the train derailment in Kentucky in November 2023, the Maui wildfires in August 2023, the disposal of Japanese nuclear wastewater, drug use in the US as well as immigration policies and racial tensions in the country. There is little evidence these efforts have been successful in swaying opinion,” Microsoft stated.

The use of AI in US election campaigns is not new. In the lead-up to the 2024 New Hampshire Democratic primaries, an AI-generated phone call mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice, advising voters against participating in the polling.

The call falsely insinuated that voters should withhold their votes for the general election in November instead. Upon hearing this message, the average voter could easily have been misled into believing that President Biden himself had endorsed this directive, potentially leading to their disenfranchisement.

Although there is no evidence of Chinese involvement in the New Hampshire episode, the incident marks one of many such instances where AI posed a direct threat to democratic practices.

Road Ahead For India

India’s general elections are scheduled to begin on April 19, with the results set to be declared on June 4. The electoral process will unfold across seven phases, with the first phase commencing on April 19, followed by the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and culminating with the seventh phase on June 1.

The current term of the 17th Lok Sabha Assembly is set to conclude on June 16.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already provided guidelines and protocols for promptly identifying and responding to false information and misinformation.

Last month, representatives from OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, met with members of the ICI and delivered a presentation to the commission members outlining the measures being undertaken to prevent the misuse of AI in the upcoming elections.

A security officer walks outside the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi on September 30, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

After months of uncertainty, the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan here has finally shut down. In a message shared with the media, the mission that ran on skeletal staff and without the presence of the envoy appointed during the Presidency of Dr. Ashraf Ghani, blamed a number of factors including lack of support from the “host government” for ending operations. 

“The Embassy has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which has hindered our ability to carry out our duties effectively,” a press statement from the mission stated. It cited “reduction in both personnel and resources” because of the arrival of the Taliban administration in Kabul and acknowledged that it has failed to meet “expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests”. 

“Given these circumstances, it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country,” the press note declared. The statement indicated at the deep divisions between the Taliban set-up in Kabul and former rulers as it cautioned against anyone in Afghan consulates in Hyderabad and Mumbai working for the present rulers of Kabul. Unlike the embassy in Delhi, the Afghan consulates in Hyderabad and Mumbai have not shut down and Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai Zakia Wardak had earlier announced on social media that they remain committed to serving the Afghan citizens who may require consular services in India.  

“It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime,” the embassy said hinting at the Taliban adding, “Such activities, conducted independently, are contrary to the established norms of diplomatic representation.” The statement adds to the earlier reports of division among the ranks of the existing diplomatic staff within the embassy and the two consulates of Afghanistan.

Earlier, a source in the mission had informed The Hindu that ambassador Farid Mamundzay who left India more than three months ago did not return, creating a vacuum in the embassy which was deepened with the departure of at least four other senior officials, including his personal secretary. The Afghan embassy in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave — Chanakyapuri — has been a witness to the tumultuous political history of Afghanistan and was handled by a varying number of political bosses in Kabul as governments changed multiple times starting from the late 1970s. However, the mission was not manned by the Taliban since the outfit became politically prominent starting with the 1996 overthrow and assassination of President Mohammed Najibullah.

After the fall of the last President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Dr. Ghani, India did not recognise the Taliban regime in Kabul and since June 2022 has maintained a “technical team” in the Indian embassy in Kabul. New Delhi is therefore not in a formal diplomatic relation with the Taliban set-up in Kabul and the outfit is unlikely to gain immediate ownership of the embassy that has belonged to the rulers of Kabul conventionally. 

The mission said that the decision to shut down was taken in accordance with the Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, declaring that all property belonging to it will be transferred to the “custodial authority of the host country”. 

The public statement from the mission urged the government of India to continue to fly the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan that was in existence between 2004 and 2021. Shutting of the mission in the absence of formal diplomatic ties with the Taliban has placed a question mark on the consular requirements of many Afghan students, traders and tourists who have been affected by the presence of the Taliban in Kabul. Afghanistan at present has two weekly flights to Delhi that ferry Afghan citizens to India but sources in the Afghan embassy said, visa-related difficulties have forced the flights to be largely used for cargo purposes. Interestingly, the closure came hours after the Moscow format dialogue on Afghanistan was held in Kazan, Russia, where the Taliban participated in discussion with stakeholders that included India. Taliban had earlier urged India to help in establishing economic stability of Afghanistan.

In a bid to ensure smooth traffic and to help commuters avoid the snarls during the G20 Summit, the Delhi Police has launched its G20 Virtual Help Desk for real-time traffic updates in the national capital. 

The New Delhi district has been designated as Controlled Zone-I from Friday 5 am till Sunday 11.59 pm because of the summit being held from September 8 to 9. Now, to regulate vehicle movement in the area, the authorities launched the G20 Virtual Help Desk which can be accessed by clicking on the link.

“Delhi Traffic Police has introduced its G-20 Virtual Help Desk for the real-time traffic updates during G20 Summit and suggesting routes for commuting from/to Airport, Railway Stations, ISBTs etc,” the DTP tweeted. 

Delhi Traffic Police has introduced its G-20 Virtual Help Desk for the real time traffic updates during G20 Summit and suggesting routes for commuting from/to Airport, Railway Stations, ISBTs etc. The same can be accessed by clicking on the link https://t.co/mYTHaK7yiq@ssyipspic.twitter.com/fMLyrzpaPr

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 29, 2023

The website will keep commuters updated with traffic information, road closures and alternative routes. Additionally, it will also provide traffic advisories, and information about metro services, airport, ISBT and Railway Station routes. 

“Stay informed and plan your journeys with confidence using our interactive maps and detailed resources on essential services as well as sights to see around Delhi,” the Delhi Traffic Police said in its website. 

Also Read | G20 Summit: Curbs Come Into Effect In Delhi, Cops Urge People To Use Metro

Last week, the Delhi Police announced that several traffic restrictions will be imposed in the national capital to ensure smooth traffic during the mega event. Authorities also advised people to download ‘Mapmyindia’ app for any information related to the traffic and public transport routes during the summit. One can also use suggested road routes for the airport mentioned in the previously released traffic advisory.

Notably, the G20 Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on September 9 and 10, 2023. However, the delegates will also visit Rajghat, NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art) and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa during the summit. Therefore, there are certain traffic regulations in the area of in and around New Delhi from 07.09.2023 to 11.09.2023, the Delhi police said. 
 

A special musical night will be hosted at the newly built Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan for heads of state attending the G20 Summit on Saturday. The event will see the presentation of various forms of classical Indian music by artists from different parts of the country. The evening will showcase the unique music of Bharat Vadya Darshan, a harmonious journey of India through various music forms.

The program will feature only classical and folk tunes. No Bollywood songs will be presented at the event, which is being overseen by Sangeet Natak Academy’s Chairperson Dr Sandhya Purecha.

From the presentation of Rabindranath Tagore’s popular song Ekla Chalo Re to Rajasthani folk artists’ performance, the musical night is set to be an exciting affair.

Music and tunes from Gujarat and  Southern India will also find a place at the event. Some of the major genres included in the presentation are Hindustani, Carnatic, folk, and contemporary music. The event will conclude with a presentation of the Mile Sur Mera Tumhara song.

The Bharat Mandapam, which will be hosting various G20 Summit events, has state-of-the-art facilities such as exhibition halls, an interpreter room that supports 16 different languages, a convention centre, an amphitheatre, huge video walls, a light management system with dimming and occupancy sensors, Data Communication Network (DCN) and integrated surveillance system.

Apart from the cultural event, the 18th G20 Summit will also be a stage to display India’s culinary variety to the world.  World leaders attending the G20 summit in Delhi will get a taste of lip-smacking Indian street food, including flavourful delicacies from Chandni Chowk, as well as innovative dishes made from millet.

Hotels are coming up with various millet-based dishes for world leaders staying with them. Over 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit being hosted over the weekend in the national capital.

Millets will occupy the centre stage at the G20 Summit in more ways than one. An exhibition has also been planned at the 1,200-acre Pusa Campus of the IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute).