> whether it is a good idea to create such a weapon
These “should we do X” questions tend to be useless. If it can be done, it will be done, absent multilateral action. Being able to predict social upheaval for humanitarian and geopolitical positioning purposes is obviously useful.
The government using such models to suppress activism in the U.S. is bad. But knowing how such phenomenon work is also a precursor to preventing its abuse.
These “should we do X” questions tend to be useless. If it can be done, it will be done, absent multilateral action. Being able to predict social upheaval for humanitarian and geopolitical positioning purposes is obviously useful.
The government using such models to suppress activism in the U.S. is bad. But knowing how such phenomenon work is also a precursor to preventing its abuse.