Constitutional Protection Warns of AI Use by Extremists

Modern AI systems could be used to "radicalize people with tailored propaganda," stated SPÖ State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried on Thursday. The development is being "closely" monitored.

AI as a Tool for Personalized Propaganda

According to the intelligence service, AI systems could in the future automatically evaluate large amounts of data to analyze the psychological and social characteristics of individuals. Extremist actors would thus be able to create content specifically tailored to personal beliefs and vulnerabilities. In addition to personalized texts, deceptively realistic fake videos and AI-controlled chatbots could also be used to amplify radical messages.

Challenge for Security Authorities

According to the DSN, conventional surveillance and countermeasures reach their limits here, as AI-generated content can dynamically change and bypass common detection systems. Particularly dangerous is the targeted use of generative AI to exploit weaknesses in detection mechanisms for language, images, or disinformation. This could lead to radicalization processes that are difficult to interrupt.

Cooperation and Education

To be prepared for this threat, the DSN states that it is working closely with national and international partners. AI-supported detection systems are expected to help identify personalized propaganda at an early stage. Cooperation with technology companies is as crucial as strengthening media literacy among the population. "Only through close cooperation between the state, security authorities, and technology companies, as well as by strengthening media literacy and the critical handling of online content, can we counter the advancing extremism on the internet," emphasized Leichtfried.

(APA/Red)

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