Executive summary: The widespread alarmism around AI-based disinformation threatening Western democracies is greatly overstated due to mistaken beliefs about persuasion, media, and establishment power.
Key points:
Online disinformation is not actually the root cause of most modern political problems.
Political persuasion is extremely difficult, even with sophisticated targeting.
Media competes for limited attention, requiring building reputation and audience trust.
Establishment forces will have access to more advanced AI than anti-establishment ones.
Counter-establishment content mainly preaches to a minority choir rather than persuading.
The alarmism around AI and disinformation neglects how people, media, and power actually function.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, andcontact us if you have feedback.
Executive summary: The widespread alarmism around AI-based disinformation threatening Western democracies is greatly overstated due to mistaken beliefs about persuasion, media, and establishment power.
Key points:
Online disinformation is not actually the root cause of most modern political problems.
Political persuasion is extremely difficult, even with sophisticated targeting.
Media competes for limited attention, requiring building reputation and audience trust.
Establishment forces will have access to more advanced AI than anti-establishment ones.
Counter-establishment content mainly preaches to a minority choir rather than persuading.
The alarmism around AI and disinformation neglects how people, media, and power actually function.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.