OpenAI recently announced it had shut down several accounts linked to Chinese operators that were using ChatGPT to generate propaganda about sensitive U.S. economic issues.
This event is the latest chapter in the ongoing strategic competition between the U.S. and China. For years, Beijing has been known to conduct covert influence operations online, but this report confirms they are now adapting their playbook to use powerful new generative AI tools. OpenAI had previously flagged similar activities, but this is the first time they've been directly tied to hot-button American debates over tariffs and the construction of AI data centers.
So, how did this happen? The Chinese-linked operators didn't create a fire; they just poured gasoline on existing embers. The causal chain reveals they exploited two major areas of domestic friction in the U.S. First was the growing backlash against AI data centers. These massive facilities require enormous amounts of power and water, which has sparked opposition in communities already worried about rising utility bills and drought. With the consumer price index for fuels and utilities up over 5% in the past year, narratives about data centers driving up household costs found a receptive audience. This local anger has already led to a dramatic increase in project cancellations, creating a perfect wedge issue.
Second, the operators targeted the long-standing political debate over U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Initiated by President Trump, these tariffs have been a constant source of economic tension. The propaganda sought to stoke American dissent and fatigue over the "trade war," turning a matter of international policy into a tool for dividing public opinion at home.
By looking back at events from the past few months, we can see how these influence campaigns piggybacked on real-world news. For example, when intense local protests in Utah forced a major data center project to be downsized, the online propaganda amplified these same themes of water scarcity and power grid strain. OpenAI's report essentially connects the dots, showing that what looked like purely grassroots anger was also being targeted and potentially amplified by foreign actors. This revelation reframes the issue—it's no longer just a local NIMBY ("Not In My Back Yard") problem but a matter of national security, likely to draw more attention from federal regulators and lawmakers.
- Influence Operations: Coordinated efforts by a state or organization to manipulate public opinion or political outcomes in another country, often through disinformation or propaganda.
- NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard): An acronym for the attitude of residents who oppose a new development in their local area, even if they agree it's necessary in general.
- Generative AI: Artificial intelligence capable of generating new content, such as text, images, or code, in response to prompts. ChatGPT is a well-known example.