A trend of misinformation that is often seen both in this case study as well as the internet is the use of AI. AI is one of the fastest growing technologies and industries today, and its effect on society (even though it could still be considered in its infancy) is extraordinary. However, because of its versatility, it can easily be used to misinform the population in many different ways.
One of the most dangerous forms of AI in politics, especially as it relates to our case study, is the creation of deepfake videos. Deepfakes are AI-generated videos that depict real people appearing to say or do things they never actually said or did. This is extremely dangerous, particularly in politics, because anyone could make a deepfake of an important world leader declaring war, making offensive statements, or behaving in a way that damages their nation’s image. One notable time this has occurred is with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. A deepfake video circulated online showing him “giving” a speech instructing Ukrainian troops to go home and surrender. Although this video was quickly identified as fake, it could have caused serious harm, potentially even making it easier for Russia to gain ground or capture Ukraine entirely in the most extreme scenario.
AI can also interfere in global politics in other ways. Most notably (and most obvious to younger generations) are AI bots on social media. It is becoming increasingly more common for comment sections to be filled with AI-generated remarks and curated for-you pages filled with AI-generated content creators. This becomes dangerous when these bots promote harmful or misleading ideas. Returning to our case study, many comments on videos about the Russo-Ukrainian war come from AI accounts spreading biased or false information from both sides. Even though these comments are not written by humans, they can still strongly influence how people think about who is at fault. When misinformation and false claims are repeated often enough, they can easily shape public opinion and spread false narratives.
AI has proven to be an extraordinarily powerful tool, enabling technological advancements that would have seemed impossible just a few decades ago. Yet, its ability to distort truth and manipulate public perception presents a growing ethical concern. It is pertinent for the public to check the information they receive from social media in order to stay safe from this trend of misinformation.