I don’t want to downplay your point about AI because I think it is a real danger. But I don’t think the success of an evil regime made up of low intelligence schemers is necessarily due to AI.
The group around Hitler and Hitler himself fit that same pattern, and look what they did to the world. The top levels of the Soviet tyranny were notorious for being evil but dumb. Intelligence was not their strong suit, artificial or otherwise, but they ruled half the world and put more of it in fear.
Both groups had existing government structures to step into and willing or acquiescent populations top rule. Looks a lot like the current US regime, AI or no AI.
Well.... maybe I am leaning a little too far forward on this one. But I’m keeping an eye out!