Disinformation Powered by AI Is a Threat to Democracy

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevki Kıralp, a faculty member at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Cyprus International University, made striking assessments regarding the impact of AI-supported disinformation on democratic processes. Emphasizing that social media platforms are increasingly becoming spheres of political influence, Kıralp underlined that this poses a serious threat to democracies.

Reminding that social media offers easy access, rapid communication, and mass outreach, Kıralp noted that deficiencies in media and social media literacy leave users vulnerable to propaganda filled with disinformation. He emphasized that a habit of critical and inquisitive reading is the most effective defense against such threats and warned of the risks of accepting any content presented on social media without verifying its accuracy.

Addressing the impact of AI-generated fake content on public perception, Kıralp cited a 2018 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), stating that false content spreads much faster than truthful content and people are more inclined to believe in it. He pointed out that once a person believes in a falsehood, it becomes extremely difficult to change their mind, no matter how much evidence is presented to the contrary.

Kıralp also noted that in small-scale, ethnically-based political systems like Cyprus, the effects of disinformation can be even more pronounced. He drew attention to the fact that we are living in a “post-truth” era, where political opinions are shaped more by emotions than by logic, and logic is often used merely to justify these emotionally-formed beliefs. This, he explained, makes individuals more emotionally manipulable and susceptible to disinformation. He further observed that in both the North and South of Cyprus, people tend to have positive biases toward those they know and negative prejudices toward strangers, which increases the likelihood of believing in conspiracy theories. These conditions, he said, make it easier for disinformation to spread.

Kıralp also emphasized the importance of education and awareness efforts to help citizens become more conscious of these digital threats. He pointed out that countries like Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands provide systematic education in schools on media, social media, and AI literacy. These programs, he said, help raise individuals who are more resilient to disinformation. He stressed that it is no coincidence that these countries rank high in terms of democracy and social justice. Additionally, Kıralp noted that these nations place great importance on awareness activities that include adults beyond school age, and he added that implementing similar programs would be highly beneficial for our own country in line with the needs of our time.