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The rise of artificial intelligence has revolutionized the world of social bots, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the flow of digital data. These programs are being deployed massively on digital platforms, influencing everything from fraudulent commercial practices to political disinformation campaigns. By being able to simulate convincing human interactions, bots now automate most online traffic, making it even more difficult to distinguish between authentic users and fake profiles. Manipulation strategies range from fake followers artificially boosting popularity on social media to coordinated messages aimed at influencing elections. In this complex environment, the emergence of these digital entities raises important questions about the security and reliability of the information circulating. In our digital age, social bots, powered by artificial intelligence, are playing an increasingly important role in commercial scams and political manipulation. These programs can mimic human behavior and interact on digital platforms in ways that deceive users. Their use can have significant consequences on public opinion and economic flows, as illustrated in cases involving the promotion of fake products or influencing election results. Commercial scams: a proliferation of bots in the digital landscapeSocial media has seen the emergence of fake accounts powered by social bots that simulate authentic interactions. These accounts often aim to promote products, whether genuine or fraudulent, using deceptive tactics. A telltale sign of these commercial scams includes profiles with unimaginative names followed by numbers like « MARIA556, » which are characterized by a low number of followers but a large number of accounts followed. Fake Followers: A Lucrative Dimension The sale offake followers
has become a lucrative business, with « best-selling » offers such as the purchase of 2,500 followers for €21.90. These follower botsare used to artificially inflate the popularity of profiles or products, thus influencing public perception. Bots in the Service of Malicious Campaigns Furthermore, some bots are programmed to comment on or like posts from commercial accounts, whether genuine or not, with the aim of generating buzz and encouraging users to make purchases that are sometimes never delivered. Political Manipulation: Bots Mobilized to Influence Public Opinion Social bots are not limited to commercial spaces; they are also being deployed in the political sphere, becoming a tool of choice for disinformation campaigns. These bots are capable of publishing hundreds, even thousands, of messages in a coordinated manner to amplify specific messages.Influencing Elections and Opinions
In recent elections, such as the US presidential and British parliamentary elections, bots have been used to spread inaccuracies and conspiracy theories. These campaigns aim to manipulate public perceptions and potentially influence the outcome of elections.
Misleading Profiles and Popular Topics To lend credibility to their actions, these bots often display profiles imitating those of real humans, complete with a profile picture and bio. They also strategically address popular topics, such as cryptocurrency, on social media to better blend in with the user base. Understanding the impact of social bots, amplified by artificial intelligence, has become necessary to address the growing challenges to the security and reliability of online information.
