Malicious use of artificial intelligence and challenges to psychological security in China

Abstract

Economic problems, institutional degradation, social polarization, rising political tensions, and the interstate conflicts are all occurring alongside rapid AI development, creating extremely favorable grounds for its malicious use. The practice of using AI to destabilize the economy, political institutions and international relations through targeted psychological influence is growing rapidly. This article focuses on the current and future threats to China’s psychological security caused by the malicious use of AI, as well as the response measures taken by the Chinese government. The experience of China is important due to its role in global economy and international affairs, as well the country’s leadership in numerous areas of development and implementation of AI technologies. At the same time, China is facing internal and external challenges that create a fertile ground for malicious use of AI. The article contributors paid special attention to such threats in the field of psychological security of China as malicious use of deepfakes and chatbots, the role of AI in cognitive warfare, phishing and social engineering, etc. The article is written within the framework of the methodology of political science, but it has elements of an interdisciplinary approach, when AI technologies allow obtaining a more accurate, quantifiable answer to some research questions.