The article warns that so-called AI swarms, networks of autonomous AI agents that can coordinate and act together, could pose serious risks to democratic systems if left unchecked. Experts say these swarms could be used to spread disinformation at scale, manipulate public opinion, overwhelm online platforms, or interfere with elections more effectively than current single-model AI tools. Because swarms can adapt in real time and operate across multiple channels at once, they may be harder to detect and stop than traditional coordinated influence campaigns. Researchers and policymakers are increasingly concerned that existing regulations and safeguards are not designed to handle this level of AI coordination. The article argues that governments, tech companies, and researchers need to act quickly to develop oversight, transparency rules, and defensive tools before the technology becomes widely accessible.
In academic partnership with Virscend University, a WASC-accredited institution in Irvine, California.