
Samuel C. Woolley
An insightful analysis of how emerging technologies threaten truth and democracy, offering pathways to ethical design and societal resilience.
The term 'computational propaganda' was coined by Samuel Woolley and his colleagues to describe automated digital manipulation.
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Section 1
9 Sections
In today's world, the line between reality and fabrication is increasingly blurred. Imagine a digital battlefield where truth is not just challenged but reshaped by unseen forces wielding armies of automated accounts and sophisticated algorithms. Social media, once hailed as a revolutionary tool for connection and democracy, has become a playground for manipulation.
Consider the story of a political campaign in Massachusetts in 2010 where automated Twitter accounts flooded the platform with false allegations aimed at a candidate, creating an illusion of widespread public sentiment. This was not just a prank but a strategic use of technology to influence real-world outcomes.
But the challenge extends beyond social media posts and tweets. Emerging technologies like virtual reality are already being harnessed by governments to 'train' citizens in loyalty and ideology. Immersive environments can shape perceptions and beliefs in ways that traditional media cannot.
At the heart of this transformation is a crucial truth: technology itself is neutral, but its use is deeply human. Bots do not act on their own; they are tools crafted and deployed by people with agendas. The problem is not the machines but the motivations behind them.
As we explore this complex landscape, we begin to see that the next chapters will reveal how these manipulations have evolved, how artificial intelligence amplifies these effects, and what we might do to reclaim truth in a rapidly changing world. Let us move forward to uncover the origins and present realities of computational propaganda.
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