Politics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence #12: AI-Generated Users and the Digital Threats to Corporatism, Statism, and Clericalism

Politics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is reaching new heights, the world of politics and public life is under pressure from increasingly sophisticated manipulation tools. One dangerous trend is the rise of AI-generated users—fake digital identities created by AI that can be used to promote hidden agendas, spread misinformation, and manipulate public opinion. This phenomenon brings a new level of threat to the areas of corporatism, statism, and clericalism, thereby undermining the foundations of democracy and social trust. 

 AI-Generated Users? How do they work? AI-generated users are digital identities created using AI. They can include realistic-looking profile pictures generated by neural networks, authentic-sounding comments on social media, and even complex interactions with other users. These fake identities are not just "bots"; their behavior is designed to mimic real people—from personal stories to political opinions. Thanks to advances in machine learning, they can simulate human behavior so convincingly that it is almost impossible for the average user to detect them. Corporations can use AI-generated users to promote their products and services, but also to influence public opinion. Imagine thousands of fake accounts promoting a particular brand, criticizing competitors, or even lobbying for legislative changes. In this way, corporatism can move from traditional forms of lobbying to mass manipulation of the public, which is unaware of being the target of a sophisticated campaign. For example, pharmaceutical companies can create fake communities of "patients" who promote specific drugs, or technology companies can generate "user reviews" for products that never actually existed. 

States, especially authoritarian regimes, can use AI-generated users to suppress opposition, spread propaganda, and manipulate public discourse. These users can be deployed to control discussions on social media, spreading state narratives and suppressing any dissenting opinions. In some cases, their role may be to incite divisions in society—for example, by spreading polarizing topics or misinformation during election campaigns. This increases the risk of statism, where the state gains almost unlimited power over information and public opinion.

AI-generated users can also be a tool for religious institutions. Imagine thousands of fake accounts sharing testimonies of "miracles" or defending dogmatic views in an attempt to convince skeptics and attract new believers. 

These users can deliberately intervene in public debate and influence the moral and ethical norms of society. In this way, digital clericalism enters a new dimension, where religious institutions gain a tool for mass manipulation of believers and non-believers alike. The proliferation of AI-generated users poses a serious threat to democracy and freedom of speech. 

By influencing public debate, undermining trust in the online environment, and creating the illusion of mass support for certain views, they can erode trust in democratic institutions (if citizens discover that public opinion is manipulated, they may begin to question the legitimacy of elections and political processes), incite polarization (AI-generated identities can spread hate and misinformation, exacerbating divisions in society), or undermine freedom of speech (people who become targets of attacks by fake accounts may lose the courage to express their opinions online). 

The threats posed by AI-generated users extend beyond the borders of individual states. Global cooperation is needed to effectively protect against these practices. AI-generated users represent a new, insidious threat in the digital world. 

Their ability to influence public opinion, spread propaganda, and manipulate societies shows that AI can be a powerful weapon in the hands of those who want to misuse it. To prevent a digital dystopian world, we must act quickly and implement measures to ensure that AI serves humanity, not its manipulation. Without these steps, we risk losing trust in the online world and undermining the very foundations of our society.