Tobacco giant Philip Morris used AI campaign in European tobacco law consultation

Tobacco giant Philip Morris International has been accused of employing an artificial intelligence campaign to influence a public consultation on European tobacco legislation. The company allegedly used AI to generate responses, flooding the consultation process with automated submissions.

This tactic, revealed by De Volkskrant, aimed to shape the regulatory landscape surrounding tobacco products in Europe. Public consultations are designed to gather diverse opinions and evidence from citizens and stakeholders. However, the use of AI to artificially inflate support for a particular viewpoint undermines the democratic and participatory nature of this process.

The revelations raise serious concerns about corporate influence on policymaking and the integrity of public consultations. Regulators and the public are increasingly grappling with the implications of AI being used to manipulate public discourse and regulatory processes, highlighting a need for greater transparency and safeguards.