AI as a manipulation tool? Absolutely. But so was the printing press - the Catholic Church banned it, fearing it would spread “dangerous” ideas. Radio had governments terrified of mass propaganda. The internet was going to destroy society. Each time, we didn’t ban the technology, we learned to navigate it. We developed media literacy, fact-checking, regulatory frameworks.

AI is just the latest tool that amplifies human intent. The real manipulation happens when we stop learning, stop questioning, stop thinking critically. Governments and corporations profit most from passive, unthinking populations. The antidote isn’t rejecting AI, it’s becoming smarter than those who would use it against us.