AI + The New Human Frontier

CHAPTER 26When Truth Decay Meets Trust Decay

Global social instability; the rise of AI-based deepfakes; social media echo chambers; algorithmic feudalism…all of these are combining to contribute to trust and truth decay. But two other factors, which have not yet been covered in this book, are also contributing to this dynamic: the rise in tech-enabled conspiratorial thinking and the rise in tech-enabled neotribalism.

The Rise in Tech-Enabled Conspiratorial Thinking

The rise of conspiratorial thinking is a powerful example of trust and truth decay. QAnon drew new energy from the uncertainty and panic caused by the pandemic, growing into what some considered to be an “omni-conspiracy theory.” The scrutiny faced by social media platforms from the media, governments, and the public has revealed the potential harm caused by radicalization, especially to vulnerable individuals. As we witness how movements like QAnon have transcended borders and found new footholds in countries like Japan, it becomes evident that this is a global concern that demands attention. Research by Graphika shows the QAnon community in Japan is among the most developed international chapters, with their own vocabulary, influencers, and behaviors.¹ QAnon is metastasizing in Europe as well. Groups have sprung up from the Netherlands to the Balkans. In Germany, QAnon seems to have made the deepest inroads, with an estimated 200,000 people.²

Research has shown a concerning correlation between belief in conspiracy ...