Russia plotting to deploy sinister new AI weapon to meddle in US elections, officials warn just WEEKS before midterms | Daily Mail Online

DailymailFriday, September 18, 20261d agoWIRE COPY

- US officials warn Russia is again attempting to influence US public opinion ahead of the November midterms with a covert online campaign using artificial intelligence, aimed at spreading inflammatory material and deepening political divisions rather than altering vote counts. - Iran is also discussed as a potential influencer, but current activity appears limited; overall, the emphasis is on shaping what Americans see and believe online to disrupt trust in the election process.

Russia plotting to deploy sinister new AI weapon to meddle in US elections, officials warn just WEEKS before midterms | Daily Mail Online # Russia plotting to deploy sinister new AI weapon to meddle in US elections, officials warn just WEEKS before midterms By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:56 EDT, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 19:10 EDT, 18 September 2026 Russia is once again trying to interfere in an American election, according to US officials, with the Kremlin accused of unleashing a covert online influence campaign designed to stir division and undermine confidence ahead of November's midterms. Recent classified US intelligence assessments have concluded that Moscow authorized a fresh digital operation aimed at Americans, using social media to spread or amplify inflammatory political material as voters prepare to decide control of Congress. The campaign appears to follow a playbook Russia has repeatedly deployed in the US since its notorious intervention in the 2016 presidential race but this time using artificial intelligence. China is also being closely watched, with US officials warning that Beijing could potentially target individual congressional races or lawmakers it considers hostile to Chinese interests. Intelligence assessments suggest China may ultimately hold back because of the potential blowback if such an operation were exposed. Current and former officials have described Beijing as generally more cautious about detection than Russia or Iran. The warning comes as artificial intelligence emerges as an increasingly volatile fact…

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