Imitating Tom Cruise with AI... "Russia to Disrupt Paris Olympics"

"False Information Campaign Combining AI and Propaganda Tactics"
AI Mimicking Famous US Actor Tom Cruise Exploited
"Attempt to Undermine the Olympic Spirit of International Solidarity"

There is an analysis that Russia is attempting to disrupt the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics through propaganda tactics utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

Microsoft (MS) Threat Intelligence Center stated in a report on the 2nd (local time), "Russia's goal is to damage the reputation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and create fear that violent incidents will occur during the Paris Olympics, held from July 26 to August 11," adding, "To this end, they are intensifying a disinformation campaign (Storm-1679) that combines AI and traditional propaganda tactics."

Fake documentary video produced by Russia's disinformation campaign Storm-1679 targeting the Paris Olympics
[Image source: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center report]

According to the report, since June last year, propaganda activities have been detected such as AI mimicking the voice of famous American actor Tom Cruise criticizing the IOC leadership, or fake news spreading that a quarter of Paris Olympic tickets were returned due to terrorism concerns. Additionally, fake video press releases were produced, allegedly warning of terrorism risks and urging people to refrain from participating in the Olympics, purportedly from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and France's Directorate General for Internal Security (DGSI).

According to The Washington Post (WP), Dale Berkner, CEO of private security firm Global Guardian and a retired U.S. Army colonel, said, "Cyberattacks and information operations are the biggest threats facing the Paris Olympics," and noted, "Russia wants to make not only the games but also France's systems and politicians look bad." Last month, Global Guardian released a report on the Paris Olympics diagnosing that "most attacks on the Olympics are carried out by private criminal organizations linked to Russian intelligence agencies."

MS also pointed out, "This propaganda campaign aligns with several historical patterns aimed at ruining the Olympics," and added, "(Russia) wants to weaken the spirit and honor of the international event in the minds of participants, spectators, and viewers worldwide because they cannot participate or win at the Olympics." The IOC has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing as national representatives in this Paris Olympics, allowing them to participate only as individuals.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed an Olympic truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month. However, the Kremlin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have expressed negative views on the truce, making its realization uncertain. Recently, during his European tour, President Xi met with French President Emmanuel Macron and jointly proposed an Olympic truce.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.