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Artificial intelligence is evolving beyond the creation of convincing fake media, now presenting a powerful tool for targeted persuasion with the potential to significantly impact elections. Studies reveal that AI chatbots can sway voter opinions more effectively than traditional advertising methods. This is achieved through hyper-personalization, where AI tailors arguments to individual voters, rapidly tests their effectiveness, and scales the most persuasive strategies. Experts are raising serious concerns about this shift from mere imitation to active opinion shaping.

The danger lies in the potential deployment of coordinated “persuasion machines” capable of automating influence campaigns and subtly nudging opinions through everyday applications. The relatively low cost of such operations makes them an attractive tool for foreign actors or political campaigns seeking to manipulate election outcomes.

To mitigate this threat, policymakers are urged to prioritize several key strategies. These include bolstering defenses against foreign-made technologies, establishing clear regulations for AI-driven persuasion techniques, and developing robust technical standards to detect and counter manipulation. International cooperation through multilateral agreements and coordinated takedowns of cross-border influence campaigns are also essential. The US, in particular, must recognize AI-powered persuasion as an immediate and tangible threat, rather than a future possibility, and act accordingly.