Key Takeaways:
- AI poses a danger to human dignity, justice, and labor, warns Pope Leo XIV.
- If left unchecked, AI could threaten democracy itself.
- Authoritarian leaders are using AI to manipulate, surveil, and control.
- AI can create fake news, impersonate leaders, and influence elections.
- Without regulation, AI could lead to a loss of freedom and rise of authoritarianism.
AI: A Powerful Tool for Authoritarianism
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is not just another technology—it’s a superpower in disguise. And in the wrong hands, it could be the biggest threat to democracy we’ve ever seen. Pope Leo XIV recently warned that AI poses serious challenges to humanity, but the situation is even more alarming. If we don’t regulate AI, it could become a weapon for authoritarian leaders to dismantle democracy.
In the past, dictators and authoritarian leaders used tools like radio in the 1930s and social media in the 2010s to spread lies and gain power. Now, AI is the new frontier. It’s faster, smarter, and more dangerous than anything we’ve seen before.
How AI Is Being Weaponized
Imagine AI generating millions of fake political messages, each designed to scare or mislead specific voters. Picture AI creating fake news websites with fake journalists, flooding your social media with convincing but false information. This isn’t science fiction—it’s happening right now.
Authoritarian leaders, like those in Russia, Hungary, India, and elsewhere, are already using AI to:
- Surveil and control citizens: China’s facial recognition and loyalty scoring systems are examples of how AI is used to monitor and punish people.
- Track and intimidate protestors: AI can predict criminal behavior in politically unwanted groups, allowing authorities to act before anyone does anything wrong.
- Spread lies and propaganda: AI-generated deepfakes—like fake audio or video of leaders—can fool millions and destabilize countries.
The Danger of Deepfakes and Disinformation
In recent elections, AI has already been used to mislead voters. For example:
- In 2024, AI-generated robocalls impersonated Joe Biden, telling voters to stay home—millions believed it.
- Deepfakes of world leaders like Keir Starmer and Michal Šimečka spread false information quickly across social media.
- In Türkiye, a presidential candidate withdrew after explicit AI-generated videos went viral.
The goal is not just to win elections but to destroy trust in democracy. When people no longer believe in the system, authoritarian leaders step in, promising order and safety.
A Future Without Freedom?
If AI continues to be used by authoritarian regimes without proper regulation, the consequences are dire. Imagine a world where:
- Police use biased AI algorithms to decide who gets arrested or denied permits.
- AI systems reward loyalty to the government and punish dissent.
- Elections are manipulated so the outcome is predetermined.
- Free thought is controlled by AI that monitors everything you do online.
This isn’t just a scary movie plot—it’s the future we’re heading toward if we don’t act now.
What Can We Do?
To stop AI from becoming a tool for authoritarianism, we must take action:
- Ban deepfakes in political ads to prevent election manipulation.
- Make algorithms transparent so we know how AI is making decisions.
- Create unbiased, public AI systems to counter corporate and authoritarian control.
- Treat AI like a dangerous weapon, with strict regulations to prevent misuse.
- Demand accountability from social media platforms to stop the spread of AI-generated lies.
The Fight for Democracy
Democracy isn’t just under threat from bad leaders—it’s under threat from machines. Once authoritarianism takes hold, it’s hard to reverse. The longer we wait, the more powerful these systems become.
We need strong laws, oversight, and courage to protect democracy. This isn’t a fight we can win with hope alone—it requires action. The future of self-governance depends on it.
Democracies, it’s time to step up. The algorithm is watching.