Artificial Intelligence as a Tool of Psychological Influence

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may become a dangerous means of psychological and socio-political destabilization in the hands of malicious actors. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the key threats associated with the phenomenon of malicious use of AI (MUAI). The high pace of Egypt's industrial, scientific and technological development, combined with acute economic, social contradictions, political challenges, create favorable conditions for the growth of MUAI threats in this country. A three-level approach is used to assess the MUAI threats and their impact on psychological security. The first level of threats is characterized by the spread of deliberately distorted information about the nature and capabilities of AI. The second level pertains to cases of MUAI where public consciousness is not the direct target, but negative consequences occur nonetheless—due to harm inflicted on critical infrastructure, public health systems, energy and transport security, as well as individuals’ lives, health, and property. At the third and highest level of threat, AI is employed as a tool for manipulative influence on public consciousness with the explicit aim of social destabilization. Among the main MUAI threats in Egypt are: manipulation of alarming narratives about technological unemployment (the first level), growth of digital fraud with the increasing use of AI technologies (the second level), use of deepfake technologies and generative AI to create and spread disinformation (the third level). The article emphasizes the need to develop comprehensive strategies to counter MUAI, including strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing digital literacy, and advancing national cybersecurity mechanisms

Disinformation · Emerging technologies · Harm · National security · Pace · Politics · Public opinion · Unintended consequences · Vulnerability (computing · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Interdisciplinary Studies: Technology, Society, and Humanities · Socio-political and Technological Issues