Cornelius Puschmann on ChatGPT and public communication

In the context of the third anniversary of chatGPT, ZeMKI member Cornelius Puschmann explains how AI-driven bots threaten public communication.

Automated amplification and polarization

Social bots are algorithmically controlled accounts that mimic human behavior and contribute to the amplification of polarizing content in online debates. By artificially increasing the visibility of polarizing narratives, they distort the perception of consensus and conflict. The manipulation of engagement metrics amplifies emotional and identity-based polarization, undermining the diversity of opinions necessary for democratic debates.

Erosion of deliberative quality

Bots, increasingly controlled by AI, not only spread disinformation but also flood deliberative spaces with repetitive, emotionally charged, and misleading content. This overload makes it difficult for users to distinguish between authentic and coordinated communication, leading to superficial, reactive, and less reflective exchanges. This limits the public’s ability to make informed decisions.

Trust and democratic resilience

The spread of automated accounts contributes to growing mistrust in online discussions. When users suspect manipulation, the credibility of political communication drops. This perception of inauthenticity fosters cynicism towards institutions and the media, weakening our collective problem-solving competence and willingness to compromise – essential elements of democratic resilience.

Platform policy and responsibility

To address these challenges, stricter transparency measures are necessary, such as clearly labeling bots and AI content, as well as increasing platform engagement in monitoring coordinated fake behavior patterns. Without such protective measures, social bots will continue to pose systemic risks for the integrity of democratic debates and the quality of public discourse.
In public communication, automated disinformation threatens the deliberative quality of democratic discourse. AI requires not only technological skills, but also a strong sense of social responsibility and a proactive approach to managing its impact.