China's "Shadow Play" AI-driven influence operation seems to NOT involve a large language model, and it only has been reported on Google's YouTube. I'm reporting this otherwise seemingly irrelevant news to clarify that AI is now in play for conducting major influence operations. Perhaps China is already using large language models as well, but just not in the news?
Dateline 12-28-2023 An AI-driven influence operation is spreading pro-China propaganda across YouTube
Operation “Shadow Play” involves a network of at least 30 YouTube channels with about 730,000 subscribers. At the time of writing this article the channels had some 4,500 videos between them, with about 120 million views.
According to ASPI, the channels gained audiences by using AI algorithms to cross-promote each other’s content, thereby boosting visibility. This is concerning as it allows state messaging to cross borders with plausible deniability.
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Why might you be wrong?
There might be more under the hood of "Shadow Play" than just algorithms to coordinate bot amplification systems. Alternatively, given China's strength in AI in general, it might already have a large language model-based influence operation underway that we haven't heard about yet, but that might surface in its next report.
I think there isn't anything particularly difficult from a technical perspective in setting up a large language model at this point - just download a copy of llama2 and start training!
The issue is that one needs a BIG data center to make it all work, and this is not particularly cost-effective. It's likely a lot cheaper to hire a bunch of human trolls.
Why do you think you're right?
China's "Shadow Play" AI-driven influence operation seems to NOT involve a large language model, and it only has been reported on Google's YouTube. I'm reporting this otherwise seemingly irrelevant news to clarify that AI is now in play for conducting major influence operations. Perhaps China is already using large language models as well, but just not in the news?
Dateline 12-28-2023 An AI-driven influence operation is spreading pro-China propaganda across YouTube
Operation “Shadow Play” involves a network of at least 30 YouTube channels with about 730,000 subscribers. At the time of writing this article the channels had some 4,500 videos between them, with about 120 million views.
According to ASPI, the channels gained audiences by using AI algorithms to cross-promote each other’s content, thereby boosting visibility. This is concerning as it allows state messaging to cross borders with plausible deniability.
Why might you be wrong?
I think there isn't anything particularly difficult from a technical perspective in setting up a large language model at this point - just download a copy of llama2 and start training!
The issue is that one needs a BIG data center to make it all work, and this is not particularly cost-effective. It's likely a lot cheaper to hire a bunch of human trolls.