Experts outline risks of AI and public opinion manipulation
From social media to official podiums, politicians are increasingly turning to AI to draft speeches and public messages. An investigation published by The Economist revisits the dilemma of authenticity in politics, warning that while AI saves time, the absence of a human filter and rigorous verification risks seriously undermining the credibility of public leaders.
"It is a very useful, excellent, and highly suitable tool, but it ultimately depends on each individual's ability to interact with it. Using such tools can—and most often does—make us better at our work. The question is to what extent we use them and whether we end up delegating too many responsibilities," commented Alex Gurdila, a strategic communications consultant in the "Bună dimineața" show on Moldova 1.
Politicians' speeches: Balancing efficiency and authenticity
Artificial intelligence can be particularly helpful to officials who lack communication teams or specialized speechwriters, says Gurdila.
"If we look at public speeches—for instance, President Maia Sandu delivers excellent speeches that we enjoy watching—I have noticed, on at least a few occasions, that AI-generated sentences had crept in; spotting them is part of my job. I realized immediately that, at one point, someone had rushed or perhaps simply lacked the time. The question, therefore, is whether those who are already highly skilled should use AI, or if it is better suited for those looking to grow—those who haven't yet reached the level of having a full team to write their speeches," the consultant said.
He also highlighted the risks associated with publishing AI-generated texts without thorough verification. Errors can go unnoticed even when multiple people review the material before publication. "When you do the work yourself, starting from scratch, the risk of failure is very low. Conversely, when you use tools over which you lack full control, the risks increase. We need to work smartly—not necessarily just hard—and efficiently. Seven people might review an image—including the creator, their manager, and the manager's manager—yet after the material is published, the public notices a missing letter or an error that slipped through. Even though numerous people checked the content, the mistake went unnoticed. That is precisely why I would create AI tools designed to verify the output of other AI tools," noted Alex Gurdila on Moldova 1 TV.
AI in education: Aid, not a replacement
Addressing the use of artificial intelligence by students, the expert emphasized that it can help clarify difficult topics—provided it is used for explanations and guidance rather than as a way to bypass learning.
"It makes sense to encourage children to use AI tools, but without overdoing it or neglecting their own brains, which are capable of functioning brilliantly. If you don't understand a subject at school, AI tools can help you grasp it," explained Alex Gurdila.
At the same time, the consultant warned that technological shifts will transform the labor market, and society must prepare for the disappearance of certain professions and the emergence of new ones.
Consequently, adaptability and modern skills will become increasingly important. "I know that in some countries or educational institutions, dedicated chatbots are being created to help students learn. For instance, if a student has homework, the chatbot might ask: 'If you look here, what do you notice?' Essentially, it acts as a teacher or tutor who interacts directly with you and guides your learning process without simply giving you the correct answer. In fact, if you were to run an experiment—take a photo of a school or university exam and upload it to the chat with a request to solve it—the system would refuse. It would detect that it is an exam and state that it cannot help you cheat, though it can explain the steps needed to arrive at the solution," Gurdila noted.
Disinformation and a lack of trust
Another topic addressed during the show was the influence of communication on public perception in an environment where information spreads rapidly and misleading messages can reach a vast audience.
"In recent decades, it has become clear that how you communicate, how you position yourself, and the image you project to the public are often more important than your actual actions. If the public perceives the head of an institution—such as a president or prime minister—as acting in good faith, then supporters will not mind when that person takes unpopular measures; thanks to effective communication, they are convinced that the actions are well-founded. Today, so much information makes it increasingly difficult to stay accurately informed. You open Telegram and see blatantly pro-Russian channels with more subscribers than local media outlets. At the same time, trust in traditional media is declining, while trust in these channels and in politicians is rising," stated Alex Gurdila.
The expert urged the public to verify information and use digital tools rationally, ensuring that these tools support—rather than replace—people's analytical capabilities.
