Washington: OpenAI has revealed that it disrupted multiple influence operations allegedly linked to China that used ChatGPT to generate content aimed at shaping public opinion on sensitive technology issues in the United States. The findings have intensified concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in information warfare and geopolitical influence campaigns.
According to OpenAI, two separate networks used the AI chatbot to create social media posts, political commentary, and visual content related to key American policy debates. The campaigns reportedly focused on controversial topics such as artificial intelligence infrastructure, data center expansion, electricity consumption, and US trade policies, including tariffs on Chinese goods.
One of the operations, identified by OpenAI as the “Data Center Bandwagon” campaign, attempted to amplify concerns about the impact of AI data centers on electricity prices and local communities. The campaign allegedly used AI-generated content to portray large technology companies as contributing to rising energy costs while expanding their AI infrastructure across the United States.
A second campaign, referred to as “Tech and Tariffs,” focused on criticizing American trade and technology policies. OpenAI’s investigation found that operators used ChatGPT to create political cartoons and online commentary targeting tariff measures and broader US-China technology competition. Some of the AI-generated content reportedly portrayed American policymakers in a negative light while avoiding criticism of Chinese leadership.
OpenAI stated that the campaigns appeared to have limited success and generated little authentic public engagement. However, the company emphasized that the operations demonstrate how foreign actors are experimenting with generative AI tools to scale influence efforts and exploit existing political debates within democratic societies.
The report has drawn attention from US lawmakers and national security experts, who warn that artificial intelligence could become a powerful tool for foreign influence operations. Officials argue that open public debates on issues such as AI infrastructure and technology policy can be vulnerable to manipulation when coordinated campaigns use advanced AI systems to produce large volumes of persuasive content.
The revelations come amid growing competition between the United States and China in the artificial intelligence sector. Both countries are investing heavily in AI research, computing infrastructure, and technological innovation, making the industry a key battleground in the broader geopolitical rivalry between the world’s two largest economies.
OpenAI has indicated that it will continue monitoring attempts to misuse its technology and strengthen safeguards against coordinated influence campaigns. The company said the incident highlights the evolving challenges facing AI developers as generative AI becomes increasingly accessible and capable of producing realistic content at scale.
Experts believe the case serves as an early warning of how artificial intelligence could reshape information operations in the coming years. While the identified campaigns failed to gain significant traction, they demonstrate the potential for AI-powered tools to influence public discourse, political narratives, and policy discussions on a global scale.
