ABSTRACT
Influence operations (IOs) are not a new weapon on the battlefield, but significant advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly in generative models, have transformed the digital information environment. AI-powered tools have made great progress in automated content creation (text, images, video, and audio), thus offering new capabilities to the state and nonstate actors conducting influence campaigns. By reducing the cost and the need for human labor, AI-powered tools not only attract more actors to wage such operations but also affect the means and methods of delivering the messages and constructing the narratives. The ability to create and disseminate dynamic, personalized, and real-time content raises concerns about the potential for highly scalable and effective persuasive campaigns to influence targeted audiences. Chatbots, deepfake technologies, and microtargeting are the new weapons in the battle over perceptions and attention. This chapter evaluates the extent to which AI functions as an influence amplifier, by exploring the type of actors that conduct such operations, their modus operandi, and their generated content. In addition, real-world examples, where AI-powered tools have been integrated in the conduct of IOs, are analyzed to support the arguments and provide practical insights.
