The Persuasive Power of AI-Generated Political Content: Artifice, Agency, and the Shifting Landscape of Democratic Discourse
AI can now generate political arguments that subtly sway people’s opinions, shifting views by a small but crucial margin. Researchers found that AIgenerated content can be as persuasive as humanwritten text, with even more impact when humans edit the original AI draft. The technology allows for easy creation of sophisticated political arguments that could potentially influence election outcomes. When combined with microtargeting, these AIgenerated messages can be tailored to specific audiences, making them even more powerful. This development raises significant concerns about the future of authentic political discourse and the potential for manipulation.