Quick Hit:

OpenAI has identified a rising number of Chinese-linked influence operations using ChatGPT to target the United States with disinformation campaigns and espionage tactics. In a newly released report, the company reveals that Chinese actors used the AI tool to craft politically divisive content, design fake logos, and even seek out sensitive information about U.S. military and government infrastructure. The actors posed as U.S. veterans and foreign journalists, exploiting ChatGPT's capabilities to manipulate social media narratives and probe for classified data.

Key Details:

• Chinese operatives used ChatGPT to generate contradictory social media posts to inflame political divisions in the U.S.

• Some campaigns featured fake veteran personas critical of President Trump and used AI-generated logos to establish credibility.

• Other ChatGPT queries included attempts to gather intelligence on U.S. military networks and extract personal data from social platforms.

Diving Deeper:

A disturbing new report from OpenAI confirms that Chinese bad actors are ramping up efforts to exploit ChatGPT for anti-American operations. Among the most concerning revelations is that these operatives used the chatbot to fuel political division by generating posts that took both liberal and conservative sides on controversial issues—then disseminated them from separate fake accounts. One such campaign, codenamed “Uncle Spam,” was engineered to target U.S. users and deepen ideological rifts ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.

Rather than promoting a clear ideology, OpenAI said the purpose of these efforts was to weaponize polarization itself. “This appears likely designed to exploit existing political divisions,” the company stated, in what it labeled a coordinated “influence operation.” In other words, the Chinese regime understands that America’s political infighting weakens its resolve—and they’re betting AI can fan the flames even more effectively.

In a particularly calculated effort, some accounts assumed the identity of so-called U.S. veterans, forming a fake group named “Veterans For Justice” that targeted conservative figures—specifically the President Donald Trump. These fake personas attacked Trump’s record while simultaneously masquerading as patriotic Americans, using AI-generated logos and slogans to boost their authenticity. It was propaganda dressed in red, white, and blue, but designed in Beijing.

OpenAI also disclosed attempts by these actors to obtain code via ChatGPT that could help them scrape personal data from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky. The goal: build a more targeted psychological warfare arsenal by gathering data on real American users.

The activity didn’t stop there. Another Chinese-aligned group used ChatGPT to script divisive posts around foreign aid and tariffs—key issues where Trump-era policy remains both influential and controversial. In one instance, a comment under a TikTok video lamented, “Our goodwill was exploited. So disappointing,” while a post on X complained, “Tariffs are choking us, yet the government is spending money to ‘fund’ foreign politics.” These are classic wedge issues, and Chinese actors are using AI to amplify them.

Beyond content manipulation, OpenAI said foreign users posed as European journalists offering cash for sensitive information related to the U.S. economy and classified materials. They even used ChatGPT for language translation, cloaking their espionage efforts as legitimate journalistic inquiries.

While OpenAI reports that most of these accounts had limited followings and little impact individually, the trend reflects a broader strategic intent by the Chinese Communist Party: to destabilize the U.S. from within. OpenAI has responded by banning the associated accounts and continues to monitor activity linked to the People’s Republic of China.

The findings reaffirm growing concerns among national security experts—and reinforce the case for stronger countermeasures. The Biden administration has often been slow to respond to CCP-aligned digital threats, raising legitimate questions about its priorities. Meanwhile, this report underscores the need for robust national defenses not only at our borders but in the digital sphere—something President Trump consistently warned about.

With AI emerging as the new frontline in global conflict, vigilance is no longer optional—it’s imperative.