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This is already possible today and we don't need AI generated stock photos to do it. A bad actor can already spin events to fit their narrative, suppress dissent and control their population. Dictators have been doing it for centuries and we're seeing it in real time in the form of Putin's Russia right now.

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Sure, but being able to do the same thing at 100,000x the scale for the same price seems like a pretty big difference. Throw in the ability to target narrow constituencies with custom messages via modern ad networks, automation-assisted astroturfing, et c., and the whole thing looks like a powderkeg to me.

> 100,000x the scale

Then everyone quickly realizes it's all garbage. The bigger danger is when people think garbage isn't possible, which has been the case since Stalin erased people from photos 98 years ago.

If it were only Putin's Russia making stuff up we'd be in good shape.

Otherwise, I fully agree with your point.

indeed, it's just the most prominent example at the moment

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