Read the full report here: www.aspi.org.au/report/persu...

Very proud of the ASPI team that researched and wrote this report, including @dariimpio.bsky.social @nathanattrill.bsky.social @fergus.bsky.social and Tilla Hoja. With amazing cover art by @badiucao.bsky.social!

Companies based in other countries are developing this technology too. No matter where they are developed, persuasive technologies pose complex risks to human freedoms.

But risks are far higher when an entire technology ecosystem is under the control of an authoritarian state.

ASPI has identified leading Chinese companies including Midu, Goertek, Suishi, Silicon Intelligence, and others that are developing next-generation persuasive technologies and putting them to work for China's propaganda, public security, and/or military bureaus.

China’s commercial sector is already a global leader in developing and using persuasive technologies. This presents a risk that the CCP could use persuasive technologies commercially developed in China to pursue illiberal and authoritarian ends, both domestically and abroad.

Emerging persuasive technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), ambient technologies and neurotechnology interact with the human mind and body in far more intimate and subconscious ways, and at far greater speed and efficiency, than previous technologies.

The rapid adoption of persuasive technologies—any digital system that shapes users’ behaviors by exploiting physiological and cognitive vulnerabilities—will challenge national security in ways that are difficult to predict.

Full report here:

www.aspi.org.au/report/persu...

Featuring super cool cover art by @badiucao.bsky.social 🔥