ChatGPT Exposed OpenAI's Secret War Against Global Propaganda

OpenAI Unveils Covert Operations Targeting Global Influence

In a recent threat report, OpenAI revealed its takedown of ten covert operations leveraging its AI tools for malicious purposes. These operations, spanning several countries and employing diverse tactics, underscore the evolving landscape of online manipulation and surveillance.

China emerged as a key player, with four of the ten disrupted operations linked to the country. According to Ben Nimmo, principal investigator on OpenAI's intelligence and investigations team, "What we're seeing from China is a growing range of covert operations using a growing range of tactics."

The report details a fascinating array of manipulative techniques. One operation, dubbed "Sneer Review," utilized ChatGPT to generate:

• Short comments posted across various platforms (TikTok, X, Reddit, Facebook) in English, Chinese, and Urdu.
• Posts and subsequent replies designed to fabricate organic engagement.
• A comprehensive performance review detailing the operation's methods.

The subjects of these posts ranged widely, including the Trump administration's actions and criticism of a Taiwanese game opposing the Chinese Communist Party. This highlights the versatility of AI in crafting targeted disinformation campaigns.

Another China-linked operation employed ChatGPT for intelligence gathering, posing as journalists and geopolitical analysts. Their activities included:

• Creating posts and biographies for X accounts.
• Translating emails and messages between Chinese and English.
• Analyzing data, including correspondence allegedly addressed to a US Senator.
• Generating marketing materials boasting about their "fake social media campaigns and social engineering designed to recruit intelligence sources."

These findings build upon OpenAI's February report, which identified a Chinese surveillance operation using the company's tools to monitor social media for protests in the West. This continuous evolution underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures.

Beyond China, OpenAI also disrupted operations linked to Russia, Iran, the Philippines, Cambodia, and North Korea, highlighting the global reach of malicious AI exploitation. These operations involved various tactics, including spam campaigns, recruitment scams, and deceptive employment schemes.

While expressing concern about the breadth and variety of these operations, Nimmo emphasized that they were largely disrupted in their early stages and didn't reach widespread audiences. He noted that "better tools don't necessarily mean better outcomes" for these actors.

OpenAI's proactive approach in identifying and disrupting these covert operations is commendable. This highlights the crucial role AI companies play in mitigating the risks associated with their technologies and fostering a safer online environment. The ongoing battle against misinformation and malicious use of AI requires constant vigilance and collaboration across industries and governments.

Tags: OpenAI, ChatGPT misuse, China propaganda, AI manipulation, Covert operations, Social media manipulation, AI threat report, Malicious AI use, Online surveillance, Fake reviews, Disinformation campaigns, Global influence operations

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/05/nx-s1-5423607/openai-china-influence-operations