Whoever Controls AI Will Shape Tomorrow’s Reality: Jānis Sārts on Why Artificial Intelligence Is a National Security Issue

The Information Environment Is Already Changing

According to Sārts, organisations often underestimate how quickly AI is transforming the digital ecosystem.

He pointed to one striking trend: a significant share of today’s online content is no longer created by humans.

“20-40 % of current content is already non-human.”

He continued:

“All of you have interacted with content, not realizing it was not human that has put it up.”

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish from human communication, the challenge is no longer detecting individual deepfakes. It is understanding how entire information environments are changing.

AI Will Transform Influence Operations

Sārts believes the next wave of influence will move beyond public social media feeds into trusted digital communities.

Rather than relying on anonymous bot networks, future operations will increasingly use AI-generated personas that behave like ordinary members of local communities—building credibility over time before attempting to influence conversations.

He described how these AI personas are already joining neighbourhood discussion groups, participating in everyday conversations and gradually steering debates toward particular narratives.

The effectiveness of these operations stems from human psychology rather than technology alone.

“Next door neighbour is more likely to be believed than prime minister of most European countries.”

For organisations, this means trust itself is becoming a strategic vulnerability.

“I bet that in about 10 years, social media is gone.”

Perhaps Sārts’ most provocative prediction was not about today’s platforms but about what comes next.

His argument is that AI assistants, AI companions and personalised AI systems will increasingly replace traditional social platforms as the primary interface through which people access information.

As these systems become more deeply integrated into everyday life, they will also become the most influential gatekeepers of information.

AI Is Becoming a National Security Issue

For Sārts, the implications extend far beyond technology strategy.

The organisations and countries that develop and control AI infrastructure will shape how societies perceive reality, process information and ultimately make decisions.

“It is not just a business or societal problem. It is a national security problem.”

He warned that Europe currently risks becoming dependent on AI infrastructure developed elsewhere.

“Currently, it’s either China or US companies… But there’s no Europe in sight.”

Rather than relying solely on regulation, Sārts argued that Europe must accelerate its own AI capabilities while ensuring they reflect democratic values.

Building AI Resilience

Despite the challenges, Sārts sees reason for optimism.

He believes the Nordic and Baltic countries are particularly well positioned to lead in AI resilience thanks to strong educational systems, high levels of trust and advanced digital capabilities.

However, resilience cannot remain static.

As AI capabilities evolve at exponential speed, societies, organisations and leaders must continuously adapt.

For executive leaders, Sārts’ message was clear: AI should no longer be viewed simply as a productivity tool or technology investment. It is becoming a strategic capability that will shape competitiveness, societal resilience and national security for years to come.