A recent policy forum paper published in Science describes how large groups of AI-generated personas can convincingly imitate human behavior online. These systems can enter digital communities, participate in discussions, and influence viewpoints at extraordinary speed. Unlike earlier bot networks, these AI agents can coordinate instantly, adapt their messaging in real time, and run millions of micro-experiments to figure out which arguments are most persuasive. One operator could theoretically manage thousands of distinct voices. Experts believe AI swarms could significantly affect the balance of power in democratic societies. Researchers suggest that upcoming elections may serve as a critical test for this technology. The key challenge will be recognizing and responding to these AI...
