During a special media briefing held by Ethnic Media Services on October 22, Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, highlighted both the improvements in the security of the U.S. election system and the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and foreign interference.
Warner noted that while election officials had faced threats in the past, they are currently well-prepared for upcoming elections. He emphasized the substantial federal investment in enhancing the safety of election workers, including measures like bulletproof glass. Additionally, state election officials are collaborating with the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency (CISA) under the Department of Homeland Security to bolster election security.
However, Warner issued a warning about the risk of foreign entities spreading disinformation. He pointed out that nations such as Russia, China, and Iran are actively using misinformation and conspiracy theories to sow discord. Unlike in the previous elections of 2016 and 2020, he stated that advancements in AI technology could allow for the more widespread and rapid dissemination of false information, including potentially creating deepfake videos to mislead voters, such as falsely portraying election officials destroying ballots on Election Day or thereafter. He reiterated that the ultimate goal of these foreign adversaries is not to support any particular candidate but to undermine public trust in democracy.
Warner also expressed concern over the decreased resources that social media platforms are allocating to content moderation compared to 2020, which has further fueled the spread of misinformation. He criticized X (formerly known as Twitter) and its owner, Elon Musk, for exacerbating the spread of false information. He also highlighted TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which he sees as a significant threat. Warner urged the public to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing information online that could be fabricated by foreign actors.
In response to questions about whether North Korean military involvement could impact the Ukraine war or influence U.S. elections, Warner stated that U.S. intelligence currently lacks concrete evidence of North Korean troops in Ukraine, but he assured that they would continue to closely monitor the situation.
Finally, Warner called on platforms like Ethnic Media Services to continue providing election information to diverse communities and to encourage greater participation from diaspora communities.
