PRC-linked influence operations are targeting AI debates in the US
OpenAI Blog · 2026-06-10
OpenAI publishes a threat report detailing two PRC-linked ChatGPT account clusters it banned for running covert influence operations that generated content targeting US AI policy debates, data center narratives, and trade tariff discourse.
Appears in
Extraction
Topics: influence-operationsai-misuseinformation-operationsai-policychina-us-tech-competition
Claims
- OpenAI identified and banned two clusters of ChatGPT accounts likely originating from China that used the models to generate covert influence operation content.
- The 'Data Center Bandwagon' campaign generated social media content falsely claiming AI data center buildouts were raising electricity prices for ordinary families.
- The 'Tech and Tariffs' campaign generated content criticizing US tariffs while specifically instructing the model to exclude Xi Jinping from outputs and focus on President Trump.
- Neither operation showed evidence of meaningful public opinion impact beyond its own generated activity.
- The operations attempted to exploit and amplify existing public concerns to build credibility and amplify divisions, a long-standing foreign influence tactic.
Key quotes
The targeting of OpenAI and US data center buildouts is significant not because the operation appears to have shifted public opinion, but because it shows PRC-origin influence operators testing narratives against AI infrastructure – a foundation of US technological leadership, economic growth and the broader democratic AI ecosystem.
Foreign influence operations have long sought to latch onto existing local issues and sincerely held beliefs, using them to build credibility, amplify divisions or exacerbate public distrust.
By publishing these findings, we aim to help our industry, governments, civil society and the public better identify and disrupt attempts by foreign threat actors to manipulate legitimate public debates, weaken democratic institutions and advance totalitarianism with AI characteristics.