Hyper-realistic AI personas may soon flood social media, shaping opinions while posing as everyday people. If left unchecked, they could quietly tip elections and erode trust in what’s real. Credit: Shutterstock A new kind of political threat may be emerging, and it is far less visible than protests or traditional voter manipulation. Researchers warn that highly realistic AI-controlled personas could soon play a major role in shaping public opinion and influencing democratic systems. A recent