Published • loading... • Updated
OpenAI says Chinese propaganda is being deployed to foment dissent over tariffs, data centers
OpenAI said the banned accounts used American AI to generate comments and cartoons that framed data centers as driving higher electricity bills.
- On Wednesday, OpenAI reported that Chinese influence operations used ChatGPT to generate anti-data center content, attempting to manipulate debates over American AI infrastructure and President Donald Trump's trade policies.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum previously claimed local opposition to data centers stemmed from 'foreign-sourced dark money,' allegations surfacing amid rising sentiment where 71% of Americans oppose construction.
- Operators posed as Americans to generate cartoons blaming facilities for rising electricity costs; OpenAI found the campaign had limited impact, with posts failing to gain 'meaningful' traction.
- Congressman Brett Guthrie requested a government briefing on Chinese influence evidence in the data center debate, while The Chinese Embassy in Washington opposed 'any groundless attacks or smears against China.'
- Experts remain skeptical that foreign influence campaigns meaningfully shaped American debate; while AI tools improve, analysts question whether China would use OpenAI for discourse manipulation.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
65 Articles
65 Articles
OpenAI says China ran a covert campaign to turn Americans against data centers, but used facts that happen to be true
OpenAI writes that the now-banned accounts were "supporting covert influence operations that promoted narratives in an attempt to manipulate a legitimate debate about American AI and wider...
Channel News AsiaReposted by 
PressNewsAgency
PressNewsAgencyChina-linked accounts used ChatGPT to help create fake Facebook personas, avoid detection: OpenAI
The chatbot was also asked to assist in conceptualising an AI tool to monitor online opinion and collect "harmful" content from "key persons", according to OpenAI's latest threat report.
·Singapore, Singapore
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources65
Leaning Left12Leaning Right10Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 31%
C 43%
R 26%
![[your]NEWS](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2Ffb6dc495f74049f513563c33352175eaa0ecd509.jpg%3Fwidth%3D60&w=128&q=75)
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
