\n<\/p>\n
The RAND Corporation published<\/a> testimony from policy researcher Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga regarding the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) efforts into \u201ccyber-enabled influence operations\u201d (IO).<\/p>\n By adopting \u201ccognitive domain operations,\u201d the Chinese military is focused on a \u201cpsychological or cognitive decision to surrender, as compared with the 20th century construct of total warfare and complete physical exhaustion of adversary military capabilities and resources,\u201d according to Beauchamp-Mustafaga.<\/p>\n The CCP has used \u201csynthetic information,\u201d which was described as the production of \u201cinauthentic content based on some amount of original information,\u201d as well as social media algorithms, to enable \u201cprecision cognitive attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n The testimony referred to an article explaining that ChatGPT\u2019s data processing ability supports \u201cprecision cognitive attacks\u201d by creating a profile of an individual based on the data it gathers.<\/p>\n Another influence operation the CCP allegedly participates in is the creation of \u201cinformation cocoons,\u201d which seek to undermine the \u201cinfluence of mainstream values, further polarizing and dividing society.\u201d<\/p>\n The testimony again referred to ChatGPT, as the AI tool is believed to eventually \u201csubtly influence\u201d its users over time and affect their behavior.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the evident interest by PLA [People\u2019s Liberation Army] researchers, so far there is no direct evidence of specific PLA adoption to operationalize generative AI for cyber-enabled IO,\u201d the document added. \u201cThis might simply be a limitation of open-source research or perhaps a reflection of slow adoption of this new technology, or it could suggest that the PLA has decided generative AI is not worth pursuing.\u201d<\/p>\n A 2022 Pentagon report<\/a> discussed China\u2019s military developments, including influence operations.<\/p>\n The People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC) \u201cconducts influence operations that target media organizations, business, academic, cultural institutions, and policy communities of the United States, other countries, and international organizations to shape public discourse and achieve outcomes favorable to its strategic and military objectives,\u201d the report explained.<\/p>\n