Implications of AI Manipulation

We have already seen glimpses of this in the West with AI models trained on politically fashionable narratives over neutral analysis. Large AI developers have been accused of tweaking their models to suppress dissenting viewpoints or emphasize certain ideological perspectives. In a notable example that garnered much attention in 2024, Google’s Gemini generative AI tool would produce images of black founding fathers and Nazis, despite the historical inaccuracies. Google, in an effort to increase diversity in Gemini’s outputs, overcompensated for supposed racial bias.

The question we must ask ourselves is simple: If AI can be programmed to push a state-sponsored narrative in China, what’s stopping corporations, activist organizations, or even Western governments from doing the same?

Don’t think American companies would stop at weighting their algorithms to ensure diversity. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a growing trend of corporations aligning themselves with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics. This framework prioritizes social justice causes and other politically charged issues, distorting how companies operate. Over the same period of time, many social media companies have taken aggressive steps to suppress content considered “misinformation.”

The AI industry is emerging rapidly, often with little transparency and oversight. As a result, the values embedded within these systems are determined by the creators. Without transparency and accountability, AI could become the most powerful propaganda tool in human history—capable of filtering search results, rewriting history, and nudging societies toward preordained conclusions.

Vigilance Is Imperative

This moment demands vigilance. The public must recognize the power AI has over the flow of information and remain skeptical of models that show signs of ideological manipulation. Scrutiny should not be reserved only for AI developed in adversarial nations but also for models created by major tech companies in the United States and Europe.

AI leaders must commit to producing truly objective, bias-free systems. This means ensuring transparency in training data and resisting pressure—whether from governments, corporations, or activist groups—to embed biased narratives into AI. The future of AI should be built on trust, not agenda-driven programming.

AI is poised to become one of the most influential forces in modern society. Whether it remains a tool for free thought or becomes an instrument of ideological control and tyranny depends on the choices made today.