Microsoft finds deepfake threat to elections is different than experts expected

Microsoft is closely scrutinizing malicious influence efforts launched by Russia, Iran and China and has found some unexpected developments in people’s response to deepfakes. Microsoft Threat Analysis Center’s Clint Watts said his team has logged hundreds of instances of these adversaries using artificial intelligence over the last 14 months. He told the Billington CyberSecurity Summit earlier this month that Microsoft has spotted a few unexpected things, particularly involving deepfakes aimed at tricking voters into believing manipulated media. “The story a year ago was deepfakes in the election, and candidates being...