Atefeh Shahsavari
PhD Student in Political sociology, Razi University
Introduction
In a world where information travels at the speed of light and geographical boundaries dissolve in cyberspace, propaganda—one of the oldest tools of manipulating public opinion—plays a more prominent role than ever before and has undergone profound transformations. Rooted in human history and extending from antiquity to the modern era, this phenomenon has consistently been employed to control societies, mobilize forces, and shape social realities.
From World War I propaganda posters that stirred nationalist emotions to sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms that disseminate fabricated content on a global scale, propaganda is not merely a political instrument but also a psychological strategy designed to exploit human emotions, fears, and hopes. With each technological advancement, the concept has assumed new forms and expanded its capacity for influence.
This development has introduced new challenges for democracies. With the emergence of the internet and social media, propaganda has shifted from a centralized, state-controlled mechanism to a democratized phenomenon in which virtually anyone can participate. This transformation—coupled with advancements in artificial intelligence such as deepfakes and automated bots—has broadened the reach of propaganda and created a serious threat to public trust, electoral processes, and social cohesion.
The History of Propaganda: From War Posters to Mass Media
Propaganda may be described as thoughts, ideas, accusations, or even facts that are deliberately disseminated to advance a particular objective or to harm an opposing cause. It is generally understood as any medium that evokes an illegitimate emotional response to one’s ideas or viewpoints. Historically, propaganda has served as a tool for the powerful to persuade and direct the less powerful toward specific ends. Leaders throughout history have utilized this phenomenon to fulfill their needs and ambitions. Powerful figures who create visual propaganda campaigns can steer populations toward their ultimate objectives (Norwich University, n.d).
Accordingly, the use of propaganda has a long history and has been employed in numerous historical events. Wartime propaganda manifested in various forms, including advertisements, short films, pamphlets, posters, speeches, door-to-door campaigns, and more (Wolfe, 2024: 2).
Due to advancements in printing technologies that began in the nineteenth century, propaganda flourished during World War I in the form of posters, postcards, and commercial cards. Governments involved in the conflict invested heavily in printed materials designed to mobilize nationalist sentiment and support for the war, while simultaneously fostering hostility toward the enemy. Thus, the modern roots of propaganda can be traced to World War I, when governments relied on posters and printed media to mobilize the public and generate support for war efforts; through colorful printed materials, they sought both domestic backing and the cultivation of animosity toward adversaries (Rudnick, 2017).
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union employed mass media as instruments of ideological competition. However, these tools remained largely confined to state channels or traditional media outlets, and the speed of dissemination was comparatively limited.
Overall, propaganda has played an undeniable role in politics, religion, and warfare throughout history. In this context, it evolved into a modern political instrument capable of generating goodwill among broad populations and securing national support. With the advent of radio and television in the mid-twentieth century, propaganda expanded beyond print boundaries (Choudhury, 2023: 3).
Propaganda in the Digital Age: Social Media and Rapid Dissemination
With the emergence of the internet in the 1990s, propaganda entered a new phase, permeating every digital space. It is no longer confined to state broadcasts or wartime posters. Instead, it thrives in memes, hashtags, viral videos, and attention-grabbing headlines. These forms may initially appear humorous, relatable, or trivial, yet behind the satire or humor often lies a clear intent: influencing opinions, spreading misinformation, or reinforcing biases.
Social media has rendered propaganda both more participatory and more dangerous. Once crafted primarily by elites, propaganda is now created, adapted, and disseminated by ordinary citizens. As false claims circulate through networks, they mutate and multiply, blurring the boundary between authentic discourse and organized manipulation (Choudhury, 2023: 4). Consequently, social media has become the principal platform for the dissemination of disinformation (Depriest, 2023: 3). In recent years, social media platforms have faced intense criticism due to growing concerns over misinformation, privacy violations, and the spread of harmful speech (Deibert, 2020: 27).
In the digital age, propaganda has evolved significantly, capitalizing on the influence of social media personalities (Influencers). With their extensive online followings, influencers now play crucial roles in shaping public opinion and disseminating strategic narratives. Their trusted status and personal connections with audiences blur the line between genuine advocacy and coordinated manipulation, challenging our ability to distinguish truth from constructed narratives.
Algorithmic curation further complicates this environment. Social media platforms rank posts and moderate content, thereby influencing what users see. Influencers tailor their content not only to their audiences but also to platform algorithms in order to maximize visibility and engagement.
Thus, the digital age has ushered in a new era of propaganda characterized by rapid dissemination, personalized targeting, and the erosion of boundaries between information and manipulation. Traditional conceptions of propaganda—often associated with state-sponsored campaigns and mass media—no longer fully capture the complexity of the contemporary landscape. Propaganda has become a decentralized phenomenon fueled by a diverse range of actors, from individuals to corporations and state-backed entities.
The internet has democratized tools of persuasion, enabling anyone with connectivity to reach a global audience. This has led to a proliferation of information sources and has made it increasingly difficult for individuals to distinguish credible information from manipulated content. The rise of social media has fundamentally transformed the dissemination of propaganda. Social platforms provide fertile ground for the spread of misinformation and disinformation, as algorithms prioritize engagement and virality over accuracy and truthfulness (Elearn college, 2025).
These developments illustrate how social media has blurred the boundaries of truth. The central role of algorithms underscores the urgent need for user awareness to prevent the further spread of false information.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Synthetic Algorithms in Modern Propaganda
Propaganda and misinformation within the contemporary digital environment have become powerful tools of control and influence, affecting individuals, societies, and democracies on an unprecedented scale. Rapid technological advancement and the expansion of digital platforms have facilitated the spread of falsehoods, with artificial intelligence playing an increasingly significant role.
AI technologies—particularly in the form of bots and algorithms—have transformed the production, distribution, and consumption of information, reshaping the dynamics of media manipulation (Olanipekun, 2025: 911). In recent years, artificial intelligence has elevated propaganda to an entirely new level.
Technological advancements have facilitated the creation of what are now termed “deepfakes”—highly realistic videos generated through face-swapping techniques that leave minimal traces of manipulation. Deepfakes are products of AI applications that merge, combine, replace, and superimpose images and video clips to create fabricated videos that appear authentic.
While the dissemination of misinformation has become easier, correcting the record and countering deepfakes has grown more difficult. In recent years, fake news has emerged as a serious threat to public discourse, human society, and democracy. Fake news refers to fabricated news-style content designed to deceive the public. Misinformation spreads rapidly through social media platforms, where it can influence millions of users (Westerlund, 2019: 39-40).
Generative AI further transforms the propaganda landscape by drastically reducing the cost of producing persuasive content, enabling virtually anyone to generate images, videos, and text. Moreover, algorithmic curation on social media platforms can be exploited by individuals, organizations, and governments. By understanding how algorithms operate, actors can tailor their content to maximize reach and impact. This may involve strategic use of keywords, formats, or even specific emotional triggers to ensure that their messages reach the widest possible audience (Elearn college, 2025).
Synthetic algorithms—such as social media bots—automatically disseminate propaganda content. Disinformation (intentionally misleading information) and misinformation (false or misleading information shared without malicious intent) have historically been employed as tools of propaganda. From twentieth-century wartime propaganda to the digital-age epidemic of fake news, these strategies have consistently been used to shape public opinion and undermine truth.
The rise of digital media has amplified both the scale and speed of misinformation dissemination, producing an information environment saturated with manipulation. Artificial intelligence plays a critical role in this dynamic. Algorithms designed to optimize engagement filter content and frequently amplify sensational material. As noted, advanced AI models such as ChatGPT and deepfake technologies now enable the creation of realistic yet fabricated text, images, and videos. These tools are often weaponized to deceive audiences and advance specific objectives.
Collectively, these developments have contributed to the growth of algorithmically driven propaganda capable of influencing public opinion, eroding institutional credibility, and shaping political outcomes. The increasing sophistication of AI-based misinformation poses serious challenges for societies worldwide.
The deliberate dissemination of AI-enhanced misinformation during elections can confuse voters and distort electoral outcomes in democracies (Olanipekun, 2025: 913). This phenomenon constitutes a direct challenge to democratic processes, as algorithmically amplified falsehoods systematically distort political information environments, erode public trust in institutions, and intensify polarization—conditions that degrade democratic decision-making. Regulatory asymmetries between traditionally regulated media and largely unregulated digital platforms further exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
Ultimately, the emergence of advanced AI technologies is reshaping the misinformation landscape and generating new concerns that justify proactive policy responses. Contemporary generative models can produce fabricated political news content that humans often cannot distinguish from authentic reporting. Furthermore, AI systems can now imitate real individuals with remarkable realism. For instance, language models have been shown to replicate the style of politicians or public figures with a perceived authenticity exceeding that of their actual statements. Similar advances in deepfake video and audio technologies enable the large-scale fabrication of convincing recordings of public figures.
These developments significantly lower the barriers for malicious actors to produce and disseminate false content at scale, blurring the line between truth and fabrication in ways that can easily mislead the public. The rise of AI-generated misinformation has rendered the problem more acute than ever, necessitating robust countermeasures ranging from improved detection technologies (such as deepfake detection and content provenance systems) to updated regulations governing the use of AI to protect information integrity.
The rapid global expansion of internet and social media usage has substantially increased exposure to AI-driven disinformation campaigns (Romanishyn et al., 2025: 15). Consequently, the impact of propaganda on democratic processes cannot be underestimated. Elections—intended to be free and fair—can be distorted by misinformation campaigns that manipulate voter behavior, polarize societies, erode institutional trust, and ultimately threaten democratic governance. Coordinated and unlawful actions by state or non-state actors may influence political decision-making, including electoral interference (Olanipekun, 2025: 920).
Overall, artificial intelligence functions as a double-edged sword: a tool for innovation that simultaneously poses risks to democracy. This underscores the urgent need for ethical regulation and detection technologies to prevent misuse, combat misinformation, and preserve information integrity.
Conclusion
The evolution of propaganda—from wartime posters to synthetic AI-driven algorithms—reflects a profound transformation in the control and manipulation of information. Once confined to traditional media, propaganda has become a pervasive and decentralized tool in the digital age, posing significant threats to democracies, societies, and individuals.
Artificial intelligence—through tools such as deepfakes and automated bots—has not only accelerated the spread of misinformation but has also eroded public trust and intensified social polarization. The digital environment has undeniably amplified both the power and reach of propaganda, yet it has also provided tools to counter it.
By embracing critical thinking, demanding transparency, and promoting media literacy, societies can empower individuals to navigate complex information environments and make informed decisions. The development of robust detection systems to identify and mitigate the impact of bots and deepfakes is essential. Furthermore, expanding digital literacy among the public can enhance critical evaluation of online content. Policy reforms and international cooperation are likewise necessary to establish regulatory frameworks that prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence for propaganda purposes and safeguard democratic resilience.
References
- Olanipekun, S. (2025). Computational propaganda and misinformation: AI technologies as tools of media manipulation. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. 25(1). https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.1.0131
- Westerlund, M. (2019). The Emergence of Deepfake Technology: A Review. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(11): 40-53. http://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/1282
- Deibert, R. (2019). The Road to Digital Unfreedom: Three Painful Truths About Social Media. Journal of democracy. From: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-road-to-digital-unfreedom-three-painful-truths-about-social-media/
- Choudhury, I. (2023). Propaganda in the Digital Age: Old Tactics. New Platforms. from: https://indroyc.com/2023/10/01/propaganda-in-the-digital-age/
- Romanishyn, A., & Malytska, O., & Goncharuk, V. (2025). AI-driven disinformation: policy recommendations for democratic resilience. Frontiers Media, 8. From: https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2025.1569115
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- Rudnick, A. ( 2017, December 28). Humor and Horror: Printed Propaganda during World War I. The Met. From: https: //www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/printed-propaganda-world-war-i
- Depriest, (2023, November 20). Social Media and the Spreading of Disinformation. The Influence of the Digital Age and How Media is Aiding the Spread of Disinformation. Democratic erosion consortium. From: https://democratic-erosion.org/2023/11/20/social-media-and-the-spreading-of-disinformation-the-influence-of-the-digital-age-and-how-media-is-aiding-the-spread-of-disinformation/
- Wolfe, C. ( 2024, October 11). The Evolution of Propaganda: from World War I to Today. Course Blog. From: https://sites.create.ou.edu/ciarawolfe/2024/10/11/the-evolution-of-propaganda-from-world-war-i-to-today/
- Elearn college. (2025, January 7). Propaganda in the Digital Age. Elearn college. From: https://elearncollege.com/arts-and-humanities/propaganda-in-the-digital-age/
