Pentagon wants to use fake profiles created by artificial intelligence for online spying

The Pentagon, contrary to the advice of experts and the American government itself, plans to use generative artificial intelligence to create fake internet users with a mission to gather information from social networks and online forums. The strategy is detailed as follows: Intersection last Thursday (17).

According to the report, a document from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) shows that the agency wants to create “convincing online personas” that cannot be identified by humans or even advanced computers. These bots will be used in espionage and surveillance missions in the digital world.

Technology should be able to do this Creating fake humans that resemble “a unique individual that is recognizable as a human but does not exist in the real world”says an excerpt from the report. They need to present different facial expressions, high-quality photos, audio overlays and even videos in their profiles.

The Pentagon emphasizes that deepfake images from bots must contain a corresponding fake background. Prevent fake profiles from being detected by social media algorithms. In 2022, the fake accounts operated by the agency were detected and removed from the old Twitter and Meta platforms.

Increase in misinformation

Techniques that the Ministry of Defense plans to use in online intelligence operations May contribute to the spread of misinformationJust as the US government warned. Authorities say the use of deepfakes and other content generated by generative AI could deepen this crisis, especially during election times and other contexts.

This may also pave the way for other countries to follow the same path. similar methods that facilitate digital surveillance and further encourage deceptive practicesAccording to AI scientist Heidy Khlaaf, chief of the AI ​​Now Institute.

The expert said in an interview with the publication that he believes the military’s use of fake profiles created by generative artificial intelligence could lead to “a society in which it becomes increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction and confuse the geopolitical space.” China and Russia have already been caught using technology the Pentagon wants.