By 
Brad Smith, president of technology giant Microsoft, has issued a stark warning about the likelihood of Russian interference in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election.
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The Russian government is “very capable, very sophisticated,” Smith told a U.S. Senate hearing. He emphasised that Russia was not capable only in technology but also in social science, making it highly likely that foreign actors will attempt to influence the November election.
The 60th U.S. presidential election holds November 5, 2024. Smith cautioned that the most vulnerable period for interference will likely occur “48 hours before the election.” He pointed to a similar scenario that unfolded during the Slovakian election last year. In that election, a Russian group released a deep fake audio two days before the vote, purporting to reveal a vote-stealing plot. This content was amplified by top Russian officials, a tactic Smith fears could be replicated in the U.S.
“Real and serious threats”
Smith stressed the gravity of the situation, warning that there are “real and serious threats” to the upcoming election. He remarked that while the race for the White House may feature Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the contest has also evolved into an election where “Russia, Iran, and China” are actively working to undermine democracy and discredit it in the eyes of voters.
Recent reports from U.S. authorities have exposed a Russian-sponsored campaign that employed right-wing influencers to spread disinformation. Fake news stories, masquerading as credible outlets like Fox News and The Washington Post, were circulated in an effort to sway voters. Additionally, Smith highlighted a manipulated video of Kamala Harris, created using artificial intelligence (AI), which falsely attributed statements to the vice president.
Smith’s testimony, delivered alongside Meta’s Nick Clegg and Google’s Kent Walker, reinforces ongoing concerns about foreign interference in U.S. elections. While Russia has been accused of meddling in previous campaigns, the rise of AI-driven disinformation has heightened the risks in the 2024 election, where the influence of foreign actors like Russia, Iran, and China could prove decisive.
