Russian Cultural Center in Cairo Holds Seminar on AI, Psychological Warfare

The Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, headed by Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, held a seminar in cooperation with the Russian Cultural Center in Cairo to discuss the newly released book “Psychological Warfare and Artificial Intelligence” by Major General Dr. Mohamed Alaa El-Din Mahaba, a member of the association.

The session was moderated by Sherif Gad, Secretary-General of the Association, who said the event marked the first in a series of seminars highlighting works authored by association members. He noted that Dr. Mahaba, who holds a PhD in media with a specialization in political communication from Cairo University, explores a vital and timely topic that connects communication, technology, and national security.

During the discussion, Dr. Mahaba explained that his book provides a comprehensive study of the evolution of psychological warfare and its growing significance in the digital age. The work examines how rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence have reshaped strategies for influence and control in modern conflicts.

The book’s first chapter, “Traditional Psychological Warfare,” reviews early methods based on propaganda, targeted media campaigns, and emotional manipulation through radio broadcasts, leaflets, and persuasive speeches.

The second chapter, “Digital Psychological Warfare,” analyzes the transition to cyberspace, where social media platforms and online networks have become key tools for spreading misinformation, conducting influence campaigns, and deploying automated bot systems.

The final chapter, “Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Warfare,” explores how AI technologies are revolutionizing psychological operations by analyzing vast amounts of data, creating customized content, and anticipating human responses.

Dr. Mahaba concludes that although the tools and platforms have changed over time, the core of psychological warfare remains constant — the battle for hearts and minds. He stresses that artificial intelligence represents both a new challenge and a valuable opportunity for managing and countering these evolving threats.