# Computational Propaganda Computational propaganda is the use of software, platform infrastructure, data, automation, and algorithmic distribution to shape public attention or behavior at scale. Techniques may include coordinated accounts, synthetic amplification, microtargeting, content variation, recommendation manipulation, and measurement-driven adaptation. Automation does not make all network publishing propaganda. The term becomes most useful when describing manipulative or deceptive attempts to manufacture salience, consensus, or identity pressure. Analysis should identify the specific mechanism rather than rely on scale alone. Related: [[wiki/Influence Operations|Influence Operations]], [[wiki/Synthetic Persona|Synthetic Persona]], [[wiki/AI-Generated Persuasion|AI-Generated Persuasion]], [[wiki/Synchronized Framing|Synchronized Framing]]. ## Relationships - **source argument:** [[articles/The Political Party That Inherits Super Intelligence in 2028|The Political Party That Inherits Super Intelligence in 2028]]. ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Machine intelligence does not need to turn voters into puppets to threaten democracy; it need only collapse the marginal cost of individualized persuasion, monitoring, and response.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *The Political Party That Inherits Super Intelligence in 2028, 2026* [[reminders/Constitutional Power/AI Does Not Need Puppets to Threaten Democracy by Bryant McGill|AI Does Not Need Puppets to Threaten Democracy by Bryant McGill]]