Examining the Future of AI

Artificial intelligence systems have shown impressive capabilities from generating text, code and images to playing games and folding proteins. This workstream analyzes the impacts that AI systems such as generative AI models may have on the dynamics of cyber offense and defense and on the cyber workforce. It maps the new cybersecurity opportunities and risks that may emerge as AI tools are embedded into many of the core technologies on which we rely.

Projects


The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, under the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.

Artificial Intelligence

Wed, Oct 2, 2024

The challenges of identifying deepfakes ahead of the 2024 Brazil election

The proliferation of deepfakes will be difficult to measure as Brazil prepares for municipal elections in October 2024

by Beatriz Farrugia

Artificial Intelligence Brazil
AI generated image of Swift and Trump.

Tue, Sep 17, 2024

Fake it off: AI-generated Taylor Swift pics spark controversy

Viral fake Taylor Swift footage circulated on social media following a fake endorsement posted by Trump and Swift’s real endorsement of Harris

by Dina Sadek, Beatriz Farrugia

Artificial Intelligence Elections

Fri, Aug 30, 2024

Pro-Russia, pro-Wagner activity surges following Mali and Wagner forces’ defeat in battle

An inauthentic network of YouTube channels pushed pro-AES and anti-Ukraine narratives after the Tinzaouaten confrontation

by Valentin Châtelet

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Fri, Aug 30, 2024

TikTok accounts target West Africa with AI-generated content promoting Putin and regional leaders

TikTok accounts with thousands of followers spread pro-Russia and anti-France narratives

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Fri, Aug 23, 2024

How AI tools fueled online conspiracy theories after Trump assassination attempt

Deepfakes, cheapfakes, and AI-fueled scams spread online following the shooting; in other instances, real footage was dismissed as fake

by Beatriz Farrugia

Artificial Intelligence Elections
Illustration of the earth in the form of a computer chip, generated using Adobe Firefly

Wed, Jul 17, 2024

The sovereignty trap

How the promise of sovereign AI obscures its pitfalls

by Konstantinos Komaitis, Esteban Ponce de León, Kenton Thibaut, Trisha Ray, Kevin Klyman

Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy

Tue, Jul 9, 2024

AI tools usage for disinformation in the war in Ukraine

How and what technology Russia used to spread disinformation after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine

by Roman Osadchuk

Artificial Intelligence Propaganda

Thu, Jul 4, 2024

Operation targets French snap elections using AI-generated content

Operation uses AI to rewrite articles to adopt a more 'conservative stance'

by Valentin Châtelet

Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Content Manipulation

Wed, May 29, 2024

Regulating the use of AI for Brazilian elections: what’s at stake

Brazil’s implementation of rules regarding AI in upcoming local elections will serve as a major test case 

by Beatriz Farrugia

Artificial Intelligence Brazil

Mon, May 13, 2024

International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy: AC Tech Programs Markup

On May 6, the Department of State released the United States International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy. Read along with AC Tech Programs staff, fellows, and experts for commentary and analysis.

by Emma Schroeder, Graham Brookie, Raul Brens Jr., Emerson Brooking, Safa Shahwan Edwards, Trey Herr, Rose Jackson

Artificial Intelligence Cyber Strategy

Tue, Feb 20, 2024

French prime minister faces onslaught of online attacks

Investment scam promoted via Meta Ads, AI-fueled smear campaigns on X, and a Russian-led disinformation operation, and ignite a social media frenzy around Gabriel Attal

by Valentin Châtelet

Advertising Artificial Intelligence
An image of a GPU overlaid with a computer terminal showing the results of an nmap command, a network scan.

Thu, Feb 15, 2024

Hacking with AI

Can generative AI help hackers? By deconstructing the question into attack phases and actor profiles, this report analyzes the risks, the realities, and their implications for policy.

by Maia Hamin, Stewart Scott

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity