Political and Economic

Classification

Domain

4. Malicious actors

Subdomain

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale

Causal entity

Other

Intent

Other

Timing

Other

Subdomain definition: Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim to manipulate political processes, public opinion and behavior.

Real-world incidents in this subdomain

• 28 Apr 2026Suspected AI-Generated Deepfake Video Reportedly Targeted Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Instagram
• 28 Feb 2026Purportedly AI-Manipulated Satellite Image Reportedly Claimed Iranian Strike Destroyed U.S. Radar in Qatar
• 28 Feb 2026Purported AI-Generated War Footage Reportedly Circulated Widely Online During the Opening Phase of the War in Iran
• 22 Feb 2026Network of Allegedly Fake Facebook Profiles with Purportedly AI-Generated Images Amplified Posts by Bulgaria's 'There Is Such a People' (ITN) Party
• 7 Feb 2026Purportedly AI-Generated Image Reportedly Circulated Ahead of Thai Election Depicting PM Anutin Charnvirakul Dining with Benjamin Mauerberger
• 24 Jan 2026Purportedly AI-Altered Images Reportedly Distort Evidence After Minneapolis Shooting of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

How other frameworks describe this risk

• Biased influence through citizen screening and tailored propaganda

  The Rise of Artificial Intelligence - Future Outlooks and Emerging Risks (Allianz2018)

• Political

  The Rise of Artificial Intelligence - Future Outlooks and Emerging Risks (Allianz2018)

• Surveillance and Censorship

  Foundational Challenges in Assuring Alignment and Safety of Large Language Models (Anwar2024)

• Disinformation and manipulation of public opinion

  International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI (Bengio2024)

• Manipulation of public opinion

  International AI Safety Report 2025 (Bengio2025)

• AI is used to scale up production of false and misleading information

  A Survey of the Potential Long-term Impacts of AI: How AI Could Lead to Long-term Changes in Science, Cooperation, Power, Epistemics and Values (Clarke2023)

• AI's persuasive capabilities are misused to gain influence and promote harmful ideologies

  A Survey of the Potential Long-term Impacts of AI: How AI Could Lead to Long-term Changes in Science, Cooperation, Power, Epistemics and Values (Clarke2023)

• Developments in AI enable actors to undermine democratic processes

  A Survey of the Potential Long-term Impacts of AI: How AI Could Lead to Long-term Changes in Science, Cooperation, Power, Epistemics and Values (Clarke2023)

Other entries from Abercrombie2024

• Autonomy Risk Category · 5.2
• Autonomy/agency loss Risk Sub-Category · 5.2
• Impersonation/identity theft Risk Sub-Category · 4.3
• IP/copyright loss Risk Sub-Category · 4.3
• Personality rights loss Risk Sub-Category · 5.2
• Physical Risk Category
• Bodily Injury Risk Sub-Category
• Loss of Life Risk Sub-Category
• Personal Health Deterioration Risk Sub-Category
• Property Damage Risk Sub-Category
• "Psychological - Direct or indirect impairment of the emotional and psychological mental health of an individual, organisation, or society." Risk Category
• Addiction Risk Sub-Category · 5.1