Italian Police Probe AI-Bot Accounts Behind Milan Protest Violence

Italian investigators are examining whether artificial intelligence-generated bot accounts coordinated recent violent protests in Milan, with authorities analyzing social media channels used to mobilize demonstrators. The focus is on determining if a hidden orchestration aimed to destabilize the city. Most of the 14,000 messages on the "Italia in Piazza" Telegram channel condemn the vandalism and looting, but some voices incite violence, referencing French-style guerrilla tactics and targeting symbols of capitalism. Organizers have distanced themselves, claiming the violence was not part of their agreed protest, while analysts also probe concerns about neo-fascist infiltrators. The unrest involved many under-18s from Milan and surrounding areas like Varese and Turin, some adopting "maranza" styles, driven by economic worries and a lack of prospects. Authorities fear a "French contagion" as youths clashed with police, throwing objects and injuring officers, with some online calls for vigilante squads against immigrants.