The upcoming elections worldwide are facing unprecedented threats from AI-powered disinformation and cyberattacks, putting the democratic process at risk. A recent report by Mandiant, commissioned by Google Cloud, highlights the diverse threats posed by state actors, cybercriminals, and political hackers, which could compromise the integrity of elections in over 50 countries, affecting 2 billion voters.

The threat landscape is escalating, with Chinese state-sponsored cyber threat operations leveraging AI to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion. Taiwan and the US have already fallen victim to such attacks, with AI-generated fake news and memes targeting political figures and disrupting the democratic process.

Securing elections requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional hacking efforts, encompassing disinformation campaigns, social media manipulation, and deepfake manipulation. Mandiant emphasizes the need for proactive defense measures, tailored to specific threats, to enhance anticipation and countermeasures against probable attacks.

In a positive move, the US government has established an Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, comprising top tech leaders, to advise on infusing AI into critical infrastructure securely. The board aims to set guidelines and workstations for implementing AI responsibly, ensuring security, safety, and reliability.

However, AI-generated misleading content poses significant risks, with sophisticated deepfakes threatening to damage politicians' and political parties' reputations. Global efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of AI manipulation on electoral processes, including monitoring, regulating, and raising awareness about the risks of deceptive AI-generated content.