Canada Warns of AI-Driven Election Interference by China and India
Canada’s intelligence agency has raised alarms that China and India may employ artificial intelligence (AI) to meddle in the country’s upcoming federal election, heightening concerns over foreign interference in democratic processes. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) issued the warning amid ongoing diplomatic tensions with both nations, which have previously denied allegations of election interference.
While Canada was slow to address suspected interference by China and India in the 2019 and 2021 elections, an official inquiry in January determined that their activities did not alter the outcomes. However, CSIS Deputy Director of Operations Vanessa Lloyd cautioned that hostile state actors are increasingly leveraging AI to disrupt electoral integrity.
“The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is highly likely to use AI-enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada’s democratic process in this current election,” Lloyd stated during a press briefing.
Tensions between Canada and China have escalated recently, with Beijing imposing tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural goods in retaliation for Ottawa’s levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Additionally, Canada condemned China last week for executing four of its citizens on drug-related charges, opposing Beijing’s use of the death penalty.
Relations with India have also been strained since Canada expelled six Indian diplomats in 2023, including the head of mission, over allegations of involvement in a plot targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.
“We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes,” Lloyd noted.
Neither the Chinese nor Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa responded immediately to requests for comment.
Lloyd further highlighted that Russia and Pakistan could also engage in foreign interference activities against Canada. While establishing direct links between such operations and election outcomes remains challenging, she warned that these threats risk undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
“Such threats can erode public trust in the integrity of Canada’s democratic processes,” she emphasized.
As Canada prepares for its next election, the government faces mounting pressure to safeguard its electoral system against evolving technological threats from foreign actors.
