Appathurai, a deputy assistant secretary general with NATO, warned Parliament’s defence committee about the threat posed by China and Russia in the ‘grey zone.’ He highlighted how both countries are amplifying each other’s disinformation campaigns against the West. The committee is investigating coercive activities falling below military thresholds, which involve different parts of the government.
Appathurai emphasized the collaborative nature of Chinese and Russian disinformation efforts, particularly in areas like NATO, Ukraine, and the West. He noted the structural relationship between the two countries, driven by a desire to push the United States out of their neighborhoods. Appathurai also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading disinformation, warning of a future where deepfake technology could make the public overly cynical.
He highlighted the difficulty in detecting AI deepfakes and the democratization of the process, making it accessible to non-experts. Appathurai stressed the importance of vigilance in the face of rising disinformation and cyber attacks, particularly as elections approach in key countries. He also expressed concerns about the removal of content moderation on social media platforms, potentially leading to the proliferation of deepfakes. Appathurai emphasized the emergence of new challenges such as forced migration in recent years. He highlighted the warnings issued by military and intelligence leaders regarding the growing threats of sabotage.
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