Abstract
This chapter examines current and future threats from the malicious use of artificial intelligence (bot wars, reputation destruction through deepfakes, artificial intelligence-enhanced social engineering, etc.) in Latin America. An unstable economic and socio-political environment not only contributes to an increase in the number of cyberattacks but also increases the frequency and intensity of psychological operations using artificial intelligence. Countries in Latin America experienced the agenda-distorting use of political bots, combined with social media targeting algorithms, in online campaigns ahead of elections. Crimes that use social engineering, including phishing, remain a pressing problem that is exacerbated by artificial intelligence. New threats are posed by the growth in the number and influence of companies providing online political communication services, including the use of artificial intelligence, solely for profit. A separate category of threats is associated with US attempts to oust China from the Latin American high-tech market, including active efforts to discredit Chinese products. Nevertheless, Latin American society is still insufficiently aware of the threats from the malicious use of artificial intelligence in the field of psychological security.
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Notes
- 1.
Long-term evolution (LTE) refers to a standard for wireless broadband communication.
- 2.
Accenture is an Irish-domiciled multinational company providing services in digital technology strategy, consulting and operations.
- 3.
Dr. Evan Ellis is a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His work focuses on security and defense issues, including transnational organized crime, populism and the region’s relationships with China and other non-Western Hemisphere actors.
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Pashentsev, E., Bazarkina, D. (2023). Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence and Threats to Psychological Security in Latin America: Common Problems, Current Practice and Prospects. In: Pashentsev, E. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Malicious Use of AI and Psychological Security. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22552-9_20
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