Imagine scrolling through social media, catching glimpses of breaking news or presidential addresses, only to discover later that what you’ve seen was meticulously produced by artificial intelligence to sway your opinion. For many citizens in Taiwan, this isn’t just hypothetical—it’s today’s alarming reality. According to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, China has significantly ramped up its use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to spread propaganda and divisive messages online. This evolving threat underscores not just the rapidly-changing landscape of digital espionage, but also the broader geopolitical battle over Taiwan’s autonomy.
A New Front in Cognitive Warfare
The recent revelations from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau detail how Beijing is strategically employing AI technology as part of its broader “cognitive warfare” campaign aimed at undermining national unity and manipulating public sentiment. In 2025 alone, the bureau detected over 500,000 controversial AI-generated posts flooding popular social media platforms, primarily Facebook and TikTok. These posts are timed strategically, surfacing most prominently during high-profile events such as Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s critical speeches or significant economic announcements, such as chip giant TSMC’s investments in the United States.
The seemingly authentic nature of these AI-crafted messages makes discerning fact from fiction nearly impossible for many. Algorithms powered by generative AI swiftly customize disinformation, tailoring it closely to current events and trending issues, substantially amplifying its impact. This digital propaganda isn’t just a trivial online nuisance; it’s fundamentally reshaping public discourse—fostering confusion, mistrust, and societal divisions.
Escalating Grey-Zone Aggression
Beyond intangible online disruptions, China has simultaneously intensified its “grey-zone tactics“, exerting real-world pressure on Taiwan without formal declarations of hostility. Recent months have seen a marked uptick in coast guard incursions into Taiwanese waters and airspace violations via unmanned surveillance balloons. These continuous provocations require Taiwan to constantly dispatch defense forces, effectively draining its resources and morale. Far from random acts, these operations serve as calculated attempts by Beijing to exhaust and intimidate the Taiwanese populace and government, incrementally eroding the island nation’s sovereignty and autonomy.
This escalatory pattern of military saber-rattling coupled with digital manipulation creates a dangerous synergy. According to Dr. Jessica Chen Weiss, a political science professor specializing in China’s foreign policy at Cornell, “Beijing is keenly aware of how these digital tactics synergize with military provocations, tightening psychological pressure and eroding public confidence in Taiwan’s democratic institutions.” The cumulative effect, Weiss explains, significantly elevates internal tension, leaving Taiwan perpetually on edge.
“Beijing is keenly aware of how these digital tactics synergize with military provocations, tightening psychological pressure and eroding public confidence in Taiwan’s democratic institutions.” — Dr. Jessica Chen Weiss, Cornell University.
Democracy Under Siege
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has unambiguously called out China’s actions as those of a “foreign hostile force”, firmly insisting that only Taiwan’s citizens hold the authority to determine their national future. Lai’s strong stance exemplifies the resilience of Taiwanese democracy in the face of China’s relentless pressure. However, resilience alone may not suffice when dealing with a coordinated digital assault woven seamlessly into the fabric of daily online interactions.
China’s AI-driven disinformation is not merely a threat unique to Taiwan—it exemplifies a broader global dilemma where authoritarian regimes exploit technological advances to weaken democratic institutions. As the international community observes this chilling example in Taiwan, increasingly urgent questions arise: How can democracies protect themselves from sophisticated data-driven misinformation campaigns? What countermeasures exist against the burgeoning industry of generative AI serving authoritarian interests?
The implications stretch far beyond regional politics. Digital propaganda and cognitive warfare represent tangible threats in a world deeply interconnected by technology. Taiwanese citizens continue to grapple with AI-generated intensive misinformation campaigns, which risk fracturing public consensus and weakening institutional trust. For democracies globally, Taiwan represents a warning and a test case—of how quickly technology can amplify already-dangerous geopolitical tensions.
Taiwanese authorities are actively developing countermeasures, enhancing digital literacy programs and reinforcing cyber defense strategies to protect its public sphere from manipulation. Yet, such measures require extensive resources and international cooperation, highlighting again the need for substantive global coordination among democratic powers. America’s leading role, in cooperation with global allies such as Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, will be pivotal in addressing this new, insidious threat.
Ultimately, the challenge facing Taiwan—and by extension, democratic societies worldwide—is formidable. As authoritarian regimes transform technology into a weapon against democratic stability, societies everywhere must grapple with the pressing reality: in our digital age, safeguarding truth and democracy itself may prove humanity’s most critical modern challenge.
