A Christmas Message: Empowering Communities with AI for a Brighter Digital Future

This Christmas, I want to share a vision for the year ahead—one rooted in the principles of openness, collaboration, and empowerment. Just as the spirit of giving inspires acts of kindness, the open-source community, including Drupal, shows us how collective effort can create tools that serve everyone. At this pivotal moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence, I believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that AI becomes a force for good.

AI and the changing dynamics of influence

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how communication happens. Governments and corporations use AI to dominate narratives, leveraging its power for hybrid warfare, infodomwarfare, and highly targeted campaigns. These tools amplify their voices and shape public opinion at an unprecedented scale.

But while some benefit from this technological leap, countless others are left behind. Grassroots movements, small organizations, and individuals working for positive change often lack access to the same advanced tools. This disparity risks creating a digital landscape where only the most powerful can influence and persuade.

AI has the potential to level the playing field—but only if we act now to make it accessible to everyone, not just those with vast resources. The Drupal community has long championed the idea that technology should empower rather than exclude, and this belief continues to inspire our work.

AI as a tool for empowerment

AI offers powerful capabilities for creating, translating, and distributing content. But to truly empower communities, we must focus on making these tools both affordable and usable for all.

Here’s where AI can make the greatest impact:

• Empowering human rights advocates: AI tools can protect their causes, amplify their messages, and counter deceitful propaganda campaigns effectively.
• Breaking language barriers: Advanced localization features allow for accurate and culturally resonant translations, opening up global audiences.
• Countering misinformation: By identifying and responding to false narratives quickly, AI can help protect the credibility of those working for truth.
• Streamlining communication: Automation of repetitive tasks, such as content generation or scheduling, frees up time for more impactful work.

These applications make AI a practical and transformative tool, not just for large organizations, but for anyone looking to make a difference.

AI’s role: a realistic perspective

Let’s be clear: AI will continue to play a significant role in shaping narratives, both for good and ill. It will be used for propaganda, hybrid warfare, and to amplify echo chambers. We cannot completely control this reality.

However, we can ensure that AI is also a force for good—a tool that enables collaboration, fosters mutual understanding, and empowers those working for positive change. By giving more people access to these tools, we can shift the balance away from dominance and toward dialogue.

This isn’t about revolutionizing AI’s role overnight; it’s about giving more people the resources they need to participate in the conversation.

Looking ahead with optimism

AI is here to stay, and its impact will only grow. While challenges remain, the potential for AI to empower individuals and communities is enormous. By democratizing these tools, we can help bridge divides, amplify diverse voices, and foster a digital world that values collaboration over competition.

In this rapidly evolving landscape, the key to a fairer future is accessibility. With the right tools, anyone—whether a grassroots organizer, a small business, or a passionate advocate—can create, influence, and inspire. The Drupal community and the spirit of open-source collaboration remind us that technology can serve everyone, not just a privileged few.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, let’s also look forward to a new year filled with opportunity—where AI tools bring us closer together and empower us all to shape a brighter future. The work we are doing right now is shaping the world of tomorrow that is changing so rapidly.