Human Nature, Technology, and Changes in Propaganda: Insights from US Army Psychological Operations Veterans

In this paper, we query 32 US Army Psychological Operations veterans concerning their perceptions on how the internet and other advances in technology have induced changes in propaganda. Their responses provide insights into the increasing spread of the spillover effect, ease of target audience analysis, and changes among key communicators due to the rise of social media influencers, artificial intelligence, and bots. We included a discussion on advances in social psychology that abet propagandists and end the paper with recommendations that may increase public awareness of potential manipulation.