OpenAI announced it banned a cluster of ChatGPT accounts likely originating in China that used AI models to generate short comments and political cartoons criticizing US tech policies and tariffs. According to OpenAI's report, the accounts prompted ChatGPT in Simplified Chinese, utilized VPNs, and used terminology consistent with China's public security system. Operators described their social media accounts as a water army and instructed ChatGPT to generate content advancing pro-PRC narratives. Separately, OpenAI identified a network on X targeting the company with false claims that user data had been compromised. This X network posted English comments and cartoon images focusing on US-China technological competition, specifying that cartoons should depict President Trump while excluding imagery of China or Xi Jinping. The operation also generated content in Italian, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese, with global influence goals. OpenAI assessed the activity as Category One on the Breakout Scale, noting it spanned one platform with no evidence of breakout and generated little observable engagement. OpenAI observed tactical similarities to earlier PRC-origin operations identified by Mandiant and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute against rare earth companies seeking to reduce dependence on China, noting that the campaign occurred amid heightened US-China economic and technology competition.
“Tech and Tariffs” Campaign: Influence activity targeting US tech policy
OpenAI banned a cluster of likely China-origin ChatGPT accounts that used AI models to generate comments and political cartoons targeting US tech policy and tariffs. The operation also involved an X network making false claims that ChatGPT user data was compromised.
Why it matters
The campaign highlights how threat actors attempt to leverage AI tools for coordinated influence operations and reputation harm against strategic US companies.
Topic dossiers OpenAI