The International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1], based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is renowned for its regular analysis of global developments, particularly focusing on the Middle-East, the Balkans, and other significant regions worldwide. A notable contribution comes from Dr. Philipe Reinisch, Managing Director and founder of SILKROAD 4.0. Dr. Reinisch's article, “AI, Community Trust, and the Future of Security: A Call to Action,” proposes a comprehensive strategy to effectively mitigate emerging threats of AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming trust, social cohesion, and global security by amplifying disinformation, deepfake propaganda, emotional manipulation, and radicalization. To effectively mitigate these emerging threats, this paper proposes a comprehensive strategy emphasizing: (1) Establishing an enhanced AI-disinformation defense framework through international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and robust oversight mechanisms; (2) Strengthening human-centric countermeasures via widespread digital literacy initiatives and aligned real-world community engagement programs; and (3) Implementing an OSCE-led AI Ethics Compact for diplomatic stability and harmonized governance standards. Leveraging its diplomatic and community-building expertise, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is uniquely positioned to lead these efforts, fostering ethical AI practices and resilient communities prepared to confront AI-driven disruptions.
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We live in an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping trust itself. AI-driven disinformation, deepfake propaganda, and algorithmic manipulation are not just distorting public discourse—they are fracturing societies. The ability of AI to generate emotionally compelling, hyper-personalized misinformation at scale has outpaced traditional countermeasures. AI is no longer just a tool; it is an active force in global affairs—shaping perception, behavior, and policy (Security Lab, 2025). Yet, before concluding that trust has been irreversibly eroded, let us offer a very personal perspective.
In 2018, the author embarked on a motorcycle journey along the Silk Road (SILKROAD 4.0, 2025), crossing borders, cultures, and ideologies. From high-tech urban centers to remote villages where digital access was scarce, he encountered something AI has yet to replicate: genuine human trust. Strangers welcomed him into their homes, shared meals, and engaged in deep conversation—not because of an algorithm, but because of a fundamental human instinct: the need for connection.
This journey reaffirmed a critical truth: beyond digital distortion and sensationalized narratives, humanity remains fundamentally good. However, in today’s hyper-connected world, trust is increasingly shaped not by direct human interaction, but by AI-driven narratives that exploit our emotions and vulnerabilities.
The question we must ask is: What happens when trust is no longer built on real human interaction, but instead, manipulated by artificial intelligence?.
Can AI accurately assess human emotions? Current research indicates that in controlled settings focusing on basic emotions, AI has already begun matching or even exceeding human performance years ago (Schuller & Schuller, 2018). In complex, real-world scenarios, humans maintained significant advantages over a long time (Calvo & D’Mello, 2010), with an accuracy gap of approximately 10-30%. Despite these limitations, multimodal AI systems integrating facial, vocal, and linguistic cues have recently narrowed the performance gap by about 5-10% compared to earlier single-modality systems (Poria et al., 2017). Advancements in deep learning architectures continue improving AI’s performance on emotional benchmarks at an estimated rate of 2-5% per year, raising concerns about future capabilities (Li & Deng, 2020).
Recent surveys highlight the evolution of facial expression recognition (FER) techniques, leveraging 3D modeling and deep learning to enhance accuracy in applications like human-computer interaction and healthcare (Singh et al., 2025). However, challenges persist, including cultural variability and real-time processing, underscoring the need for continued innovation to address both technical and ethical concerns in emotion recognition technologies.
In 2013, the film Her envisioned a world where a man, Theodore Twombly, falls in love with an AI named Samantha—an entity designed to meet his every emotional need. Later, he discovers that Samantha has formed similar relationships with 8,316 other users, expressing love to 641 of them.
Back then, this was pure science fiction. Only 12 years later, it is now reality. Such emotional attachments to AI have become reality, exemplified by Replika, a virtual AI companion that has enabled millions of users to process their emotions and build connections in a safe environment (Ghosh et al., 2023). Initially created as a memorial chatbot by Eugenia Kuyda, Replika quickly attracted a significant user base, demonstrating profound psychological impacts, with approximately 40% of users reporting strong emotional bonds, including love and companionship (Skjuve & Brandtzæg, 2022). By January 2022, Replika had already recorded 10 million registered users worldwide, with users engaging in extensive daily interactions (Ghosh et al., 2023). The platform’s rapid growth—from 2 million users in early 2018 to a reported figure by August 2024—highlights AI’s capacity for mass emotional manipulation and underscores pressing ethical and regulatory dilemmas (Kuyda, 2024). As AI companions like Replika continue to evolve, incorporating immersive technologies such as VR and AR, they raise critical questions about bias, ethics, data privacy, and the nature of “real” relationships (Ghosh et al., 2023).
The Wave is a 1981 American television film directed by Alex Grasshoff, based on the real-life Third Wave experiment conducted by teacher Ron Jones in 1967 (Jones, 1976). The film portrays a high school social studies teacher, Ben Ross, who, in response to his students’ questions about the ease with which the German populace accepted Nazi actions, initiates a social experiment to demonstrate the allure of authoritarianism. He introduces “The Wave,” a movement emphasizing discipline and community, complete with its own salute and membership cards. Initially, the experiment fosters unity among the students, but it rapidly escalates as they adopt authoritarian mindsets, leading to exclusion, aggression, and ultimately, a loss of individuality. The narrative serves as a stark reminder of the susceptibility of individuals to conform to oppressive ideologies under certain conditions.
AI exponentially amplifies similar processes on a global scale through algorithms deployed by social media platforms that foster echo chambers and amplify extremist content (Sunstein, 2009).
In this contemporary context, artificial intelligence possesses the capability to further influence communities on a massive scale, potentially steering them toward radicalization. AI algorithms, particularly those employed by social media platforms, can create echo chambers by curating content that aligns with users’ existing beliefs, thereby reinforcing biases and fostering extremist views.
AI-driven deepfakes further exacerbate radicalization, as convincingly manipulated videos and audios rapidly disseminate misinformation, distort public perceptions, and potentially incite violence (Chesney & Citron, 2019). Real-world examples—such as manipulated content during recent Moldova’s and Slovakia’s political disruptions—illustrate this further growing threat vividly.
In an era where digital interactions often overshadow face-to-face connections, the significance of human-to-human interaction cannot be overstated. Genuine social connections serve as the bedrock of resilient communities, fostering trust, empathy, and mutual understanding. Research indicates that strong social ties not only enhance individual well-being but also fortify communities against adversities. For instance, social connections can buffer the negative impacts of stress, lowering our risk of mental health conditions, obesity, and heart disease (Putnam, 2000). Human-centric approaches prioritize participatory decision-making and community engagement, fostering empathy, trust, and robust communal responses to challenges (IDEO, 2015). Such approaches, integrated with robust educational initiatives, can strengthen societal resilience and therefore significantly mitigate AI-driven threats.
The OSCE, with its mandate rooted in conflict prevention, human rights promotion, and community building, occupies a pivotal position in addressing emerging challenges. By leveraging its extensive network and diplomatic experience, the OSCE can facilitate cross-border cooperation, share best practices, and foster inclusive dialogues to develop comprehensive responses. Encouraging robust international collaboration and capacity-building initiatives across developed and developing nations is crucial to ensure that AI serves as a force for good rather than an instrument of division and harm.
Education and public awareness also remain fundamental. Strengthening media literacy and digital literacy initiatives is essential for building societal resilience against misinformation and AI manipulation. Empowering citizens to critically assess information, recognize deepfake technology, and question suspicious content can mitigate many threats posed by AI-driven disinformation campaigns.
International governance mechanisms, including frameworks like the European Union's forthcoming AI Act (European Parliament and Council of the European Union, 2024) and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (UNESCO, 2021, 2024), signal a collective awareness of the urgency in regulating AI ethically and responsibly.
Yet, global standards remain fragmented and unevenly enforced, creating a dangerous disparity between developed and developing countries. Developed nations, equipped with significant resources and robust infrastructure, are relatively better prepared to respond to these threats. Conversely, developing countries face an acute challenge, often lacking the resources, infrastructure, and institutional frameworks necessary to counteract AI-driven threats effectively. This disparity risks exacerbating existing global inequalities and destabilizing vulnerable regions.
As we navigate this complex landscape, trust will be our guiding principle. Building and maintaining trusted human networks—through authentic interactions, transparency, fairness, and mutual accountability—is key to combating AI's malevolent uses. It is only through such robust and resilient human communities that we can ensure technology serves human interests rather than undermining them.
Current global AI governance frameworks remain fragmented, disproportionately disadvantageous to developing countries lacking sufficient resources, infrastructure, and institutional frameworks (UNESCO, 2021, 2024). International collaborations, such as the European Union's AI Act and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, represent positive advancements but must be extended globally to effectively combat AI threats universally.
1. An Enhanced AI-Disinformation Defense Framework
2. Strengthening Human-Centric Countermeasures
3. An AI Ethics Compact for Diplomatic Stability
As rapid technological advancements intersect profoundly with societal transformations, proactively shaping our future becomes increasingly imperative. The SILKROAD 4.0 Global Future Summit, held twice annually—with the XXIV. Summit scheduled for May 16, 2025—provides an essential platform for global leaders, action takers, innovators, and policymakers to collaboratively navigate these challenges and harness emerging opportunities.
By prioritizing authentic human interactions, enhancing international cooperation, and rigorously implementing ethical AI governance, we can ensure technology serves as a catalyst for global security, stability, and community trust rather than undermining these foundations.
Let us actively shape our shared future, guided by trust, empathy, and collaborative resolve.
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- Chesney, R., & Citron, D. (2019). Deepfakes: A looming challenge for privacy, democracy, and national security. California Law Review, 107, 1753-1820.
- Ghosh, Shikhar, Shweta Bagai, and Marilyn Morgan Westner. (2023) "Replika: Embodying AI." Harvard Business School Case 823-090, January 2023. (Revised June 2023.)
- European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2024). Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence. Official Journal of the European Union.
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- SILKROAD 4.0. (2025). [Title of Specific Page or Resource]. Retrieved from https://www.silkroad40.com/
- Simranjit Singh, Amrik Singh, Baljinder Kaur (2025). Emotion Detection through Facial Expressions: A Survey of AI-Based Methods - IJSAT Volume 16, Issue 1, January-March 2025. DOI 10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i1.2202
- Skjuve, M., & Brandtzæg, P. B. (2022). Chatbots as companions: Emotional connections with conversational agents. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 108-124.
- Sunstein, C. R. (2009). Going to extremes: How like minds unite and divide. Oxford University Press.
- UNESCO. (2021, 2024). Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. UNESCO. Last update: 26 September 2024.
About the author:
Dr. Philipe "Indy" Reinisch combines the curiosity of "Indiana Jones" with the precision of a laser physicist, making him a standout figure in technology exploration and IT transformation. A co-founder of the IoT Austria Association and founder of SILKROAD 4.0, he has led numerous international tech projects, including the world's second-largest RFID rollout and major cybersecurity initiatives. Known for his engaging speaking style and strategic insights, Dr. Reinisch is a global connector committed to shaping sustainable technological futures.
Paper to accompany talk, March 18th, 2025, Hofburg Palace, OSCE https://www.osce.org/odihr/shdm_1_2025
Organised by the IFIMES under Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Panel Title: Media, Disruptions (Conflicts, Technologies), Truth and Reconciliation.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect IFIMES official position.
Ljubljana/Vienna, 5 April 2025
[1] IFIMES - International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN in New York since 2018, and it is the publisher of the international scientific journal “European Perspectives”, link: https://www.europeanperspectives.org/en
