How Generative and Agentic AI Are Transforming Influence Operations
A recent analysis from Lawfare examines how two distinct categories of artificial intelligence—generative AI and agentic AI—are fundamentally altering the nature of influence operations.
Generative AI systems, which can produce text, images, audio, and video at unprecedented scale and speed, have lowered the barrier for creating persuasive content. This enables actors to generate large volumes of tailored messaging without requiring significant human resources or technical expertise.
Agentic AI—systems capable of taking autonomous actions and making decisions—adds another dimension to these operations. Such systems can potentially conduct sustained campaigns, adapt tactics based on responses, and maintain persistent presence across platforms without continuous human oversight.
The analysis identifies three interconnected areas of transformation. First, production: AI dramatically increases the volume and variety of content that can be generated. Second, persuasion: AI enables more personalized and contextually aware messaging. Third, power: the asymmetry between actors who can deploy these tools and those who cannot raises questions about information ecosystem governance.
The convergence of these capabilities presents both new risks and challenges for detection and defense, as influence operations become faster, more scalable, and potentially more difficult to attribute.