Foreign adversaries are actively leveraging advancements in technology to reshape the global intelligence landscape. Nations, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia, have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and massive data collection into their statecraft and espionage operations. These efforts move beyond traditional intelligence gathering, weaponizing the digital information ecosystem against their targets.

The U.S. intelligence community has publicly reported on these activities. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has identified the PRC as the broadest, most active, and persistent cyber espionage threat to the United States. These state-sponsored campaigns focus on acquiring intellectual property, sensitive government data, and the personal information of millions of citizens.

China’s Data-Driven Espionage Operations

The People’s Republic of China executes a strategy that combines legal and illicit methods to acquire vast quantities of data. Cybersecurity firms and government agencies have documented numerous breaches targeting sectors like healthcare, finance, and technology, attributing them to actors affiliated with the PRC. For example, the 2015 breach of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) resulted in the theft of sensitive records for 21.5 million individuals.

Intelligence reports confirm that China uses this collected data to fuel its AI and big data analytics platforms. These systems enable the PRC to identify intelligence targets, track dissidents, and build detailed profiles on millions of foreign citizens, including U.S. government officials and private sector executives. The scale of this data processing is used to support influence operations and traditional espionage.

Russia’s Amplification of Disinformation

Russia has utilized technology to conduct sophisticated disinformation and influence campaigns. U.S. intelligence agencies formally assessed that Russian actors interfered in the 2016 and subsequent U.S. elections. These campaigns leveraged social media platforms to sow discord, spread false narratives, and undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

Entities like the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian state-backed troll farm, created thousands of fake social media accounts to manipulate public opinion. They used automation and data analytics to target specific demographics with tailored messaging. The use of these techniques represents the weaponization of information, turning the open nature of digital communication into a tool for strategic influence.