Skip to main content
This is a research prototype. The data and analyses are preliminary and not yet validated — we'd welcome your .
MIT AI Risk Initiative
BackSocio-technical and Infrastructural
Dishonesty - Information disorder
Propaganda - Synthetic realities

Socio-technical and Infrastructural

GenAI against humanity: nefarious applications of generative artificial intelligence and large language models

Ferrara (2023)

SourceDOI
Category
Risk Domain
4Malicious Actors & Misuse
4.1Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale

Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim of manipulating political processes, public opinion, and behavior.

"Lastly, broader harms that can impact communities, societal structures, and critical infrastructures, including threats to democratic processes, social cohesion, and technological systems, are captured under “Societal, Socio-technical, and Infrastructural Damage.”"(p. 552)

Entity: Who or what caused the harm

Human

Due to a decision or action made by humans

AI system

Due to a decision or action made by an AI system

Other

Due to some other reason or is ambiguous

Intent: Whether the harm was intentional or accidental

Intentional

Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal

Unintentional

Due to an unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal

Other

Without clearly specifying the intentionality

Timing: Whether the risk is pre- or post-deployment

Pre-deployment

Occurring before the AI is deployed

Post-deployment

Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed

Other

Without a clearly specified time of occurrence

Sub-categories (2)

Propaganda - Synthetic realities

-

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Dishonesty - Targeted surveillance

-

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Other risks from Ferrara (2023) (14)

Personal Loss and Identity Theft

2.1 Compromise of privacy by leaking or correctly inferring sensitive information
OtherOtherOther

Personal Loss and Identity Theft > Deception - Synthetic identities

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Personal Loss and Identity Theft > Propaganda - Digital impersonations

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Personal Loss and Identity Theft > Dishonesty - Targeted harassment

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Financial and Economic Damage

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Financial and Economic Damage > Deception - Bespoke ransom

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment
View all 14 risks from this paper →