The cat and mouse game — the people we hate might not exist.

Reflecting on my 25 years of experience with automation, machine learning, and AI, I’ve observed a profound shift from using these technologies to safeguard digital spaces, such as with IRC bots, to facing the threats from large scale deployed, single source (LSDSS) bots driving people away.

A few years ago I wrote this article. With LLM, Wolfram Alpha and cog-emotive software, none of these tips safeguard you anymore and law-enforcement can’t catch up. Growing number of people in digital spaces, particularly evident in the surge of hate and disinformation during 2020, further complicates matters. We sound less smart, the machines sounds more intelligent.

During crisis, and high alert period such as elections and conflicts many bot developers turn in to bot-hunters.

Their expertise in pattern recognition aids in the takedown of disinformation bots, yet they rarely share their knowledge for fear of enabling the creation of even more sophisticated bots.

Looking ahead, global collaboration is essential to establish stricter standards, policies, and laws to deter the deployment of malicious bots. While this won’t solve the problem entirely, it can signal that there are consequences for such actions.

Ultimately, I believe the root of this issue lies not in technological solutions or punitive measures, but in societal change and addressing economic inequality. Bots and bot farms often exploit individuals in poverty, highlighting the need for systemic change to disrupt this exploitative business model.

Disrupters will always be one step ahead, if we can change what their driving force is, perhaps we can change what their mission will be.