OpenAI has uncovered a suspected Chinese influence operation that attempted to sway public opinion against US data center development using its ChatGPT tool. The campaign, which OpenAI dubbed the 'Data Center Bandwagon' Campaign, sought to exploit existing concerns about energy prices and local impacts of data center infrastructure. However, the effort was described as 'small scale' and failed to generate significant engagement on social media platforms like X and Facebook.
Campaign Details and Tactics
According to OpenAI, the suspected operation relied on ChatGPT to generate critical posts in both English and Simplified Chinese. The users behind the campaign were likely part of a social media operations team at a private Chinese technology company working for provincial-level government clients in China. Ben Nimmo, principal investigator on OpenAI's Intelligence and Investigations team, noted the irony of the campaign using American AI technology to undermine US interests.
'This looks like a classic example of a foreign influence operation, jumping onto the bandwagon of a genuine pre-existing domestic debate, and trying to manipulate it by using fake accounts, posing as Americans,' Nimmo said.
Broader Implications
The discovery highlights ongoing concerns about China's attempts to influence US public opinion on critical infrastructure projects. OpenAI emphasized the importance of US data centers in maintaining the country's leadership in the global AI race. Despite the campaign's lack of success, Nimmo stated it provides valuable insight into the narratives and tactics employed by foreign actors.
OpenAI also identified a second suspected operation, the 'Tech and Tariffs' Campaign, which used ChatGPT to criticize US tech policies and tariffs, including generating AI-crafted political cartoons targeting former President Donald Trump.