mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

AI Propaganda factories with language models

arXiv 2508.20186 ↗First posted 27 Aug 2025cs.CR cs.AI cs.CYcited by 4

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Abstract (arXiv)

AI-powered influence operations can now be executed end-to-end on commodity hardware. We show that small language models produce coherent, persona-driven political messaging and can be evaluated automatically without human raters. Two behavioural findings emerge. First, persona-over-model: persona design explains behaviour more than model identity. Second, engagement as a stressor: when replies must counter-arguments, ideological adherence strengthens and the prevalence of extreme content increases. We demonstrate that fully automated influence-content production is within reach of both large and small actors. Consequently, defence should shift from restricting model access towards conversation-centric detection and disruption of campaigns and coordination infrastructure. Paradoxically, the very consistency that enables these operations also provides a detection signature.

Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 19 of its 36 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 27 Aug 2025.

Builds on

19 of 36 references.

References · 19

  1. 2023Judging LLM-as-a-Judge with MT-Bench and Chatbot Arenacited by 8,626
  2. 2023Trustworthy LLMs: a Survey and Guideline for Evaluating Large Language Models' Alignmentcited by 401
  3. 2025Small Language Models are the Future of Agentic AIcited by 270
  4. 2024LLMs instead of Human Judges? A Large Scale Empirical Study across 20 NLP Evaluation Taskscited by 243
  5. 2024The Effect of Sampling Temperature on Problem Solving in Large Language Modelscited by 170
  6. 2024Quantifying the Persona Effect in LLM Simulationscited by 169
  7. 2023Generative Language Models and Automated Influence Operations: Emerging Threats and Potential Mitigationscited by 158
  8. 2025A Survey of Context Engineering for Large Language Modelscited by 126
  9. 2024PersonaGym: Evaluating Persona Agents and LLMscited by 97
  10. 2024Systematic Evaluation of LLM-as-a-Judge in LLM Alignment Tasks: Explainable Metrics and Diverse Prompt Templatescited by 72
  11. 2024How Well Do LLMs Represent Values Across Cultures? Empirical Analysis of LLM Responses Based on Hofstede Cultural Dimensionscited by 52
  12. 2024What is the Role of Small Models in the LLM Era: A Surveycited by 41
7 more
  1. 2024A Survey of Small Language Modelscited by 31
  2. 2025How malicious AI swarms can threaten democracy: The fusion of agentic AI and LLMs marks a new frontier in information warfarecited by 20
  3. 2025The Levers of Political Persuasion with Conversational AIcited by 20
  4. 2024Stick to your Role! Stability of Personal Values Expressed in Large Language Modelscited by 14
  5. 2024Large language models can consistently generate high-quality content for election disinformation operationscited by 14
  6. 2023Measurement in the Age of LLMs: An Application to Ideological Scalingcited by 11
  7. 2024LLMs Among Us: Generative AI Participating in Digital Discoursecited by 9

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Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2025: 1; 2026: 3.

4 papers.

  1. 2025Emergent Coordinated Behaviors in Networked LLM Agents: Modeling the Strategic Dynamics of Information Operationscited by 6
  2. 2026An Agentic Operationalization of DISARM for FIMI Investigation on Social Mediacited by 1
  3. 2026How Far Will They Go? Red-Teaming Online Influence with Large Language Modelscited by 0
  4. 2026IO Factory: Simulating AI-Enabled Influence Campaigns at Scalecited by 0