Podestà

• As communication scholars, we were interested in the applications of AI in supporting manipulative communication efforts.
• Our recent book, Social Engineering: How Crowdmasters, Phreaks, Hackers, and Trolls Created a New Form of Manipulative Communication looks at how the internet affected manipulative communication.

AI chatbots

• • Deepfake technology: AI algorithms can be used to generate fake audio or video content that appears to be real, making it easier to spread false information or manipulate individuals.
• • Personalized advertising: AI algorithms can analyze data about a person’s behavior, preferences, and relationships to create targeted advertisements that manipulate their emotions and influence their purchasing decisions.
• Each of these stages can be automated, with new AI tools increasing the pace and intensity.

Trashing

• Trashing is the stage where the masspersonal social engineer gathers information on potential targets.
• While social engineers still go through physical trash, these days trashing takes place in digital environments.
• For example, trashing was key to the Russian hack of former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta’s emails in 2016.

Pretexting

• A pretext is the role a masspersonal social engineer plays when trying to get information or manipulate a target.
• For example, in a phishing email, the phisher is playing a role as a bank or government representative.
• And for several years people have sounded alarms about deepfake videos and audio of political figures.

Bullshitting

• The third and final stage, bullshitting, is the actual engagement with the target.
• As moral philosopher Harry Frankfurt famously defines it, “bullshit” is not lying — it’s the indifference to truth.
• The primary concern here is the production of seemingly real content that is meant to deceive or muddy debate.

Increased intensity

• But automated manipulative communication is a new development, increasing the pace and intensity of disinformation and misinformation.
• We hope that this framework, which breaks down the manipulative communication process into stages, helps future researchers and policymakers come to grips with this development.
• Addressing pretexting can involve more transparency in the funding for advertising campaigns, particularly in the case of political advertising on social media.

• Global asset manager Schroders today announced new hires and leadership changes to the American distribution team.
• Tiffani Potesta will be taking on the role of Head of U.S. Distribution, overseeing strategy and implementation for distribution across regions.
• I am thrilled to have her expertise and strategic thinking guide our already strong and growing distribution team.
• Joel Schiffman will take on the role of Head of Strategic Partnerships, where he will focus on driving new revenue opportunities across strategic areas of growth with distribution partners.