Breaking: OpenAI Cracks Down Iran Influence On US Presidential Election

The firm behind ChatGPT, OpenAI said that it has started cracking down on Iran-linked accounts that are using their platforms to spread news on US Presidential election. This development has gained notable traction, especially after Donald Trump’s election campaign claimed that it had faced a security breach from Iran hackers. The firm said that the Iran-linked accounts are using its generative AI technologies to spread misinformation.

OpenAI Bans Iran-Linked Accounts For Spreading Misinformation

OpenAI, in a recent announcement, said that it is battling against foreign influence operations that are using its AI technologies. The AI firm said that it has identified and banned a flurry of accounts to cover Iranian influence operation “Storm-2035”.

The accounts, according to the report, have been using ChatGPT to generate and spread misinformation related to various topics. Notably, one of the most notable topics was the US election and the campaigns. The AI firm said that the operation was focused on both long-form articles and short social media comments, which were shared across different platforms.

Meanwhile, the content generated by these accounts covered a range of topics. The topics include the Gaza conflict, Israel’s participation in the Olympic Games, the upcoming US election, and others.

However, the AI firm said that the operation had minimal impact, with the majority of the posts receiving little to no engagement. The firm classified the operation as a low-level threat, based on Brookings’ Breakout Scale, which assesses the influence of these covert operations.

Notably, Sam Altman’s AI firm investigation revealed that the operation targeted both progressive and conservative audiences, posing as legitimate news outlets and social media users. Some accounts even mimicked the comments of real users to appear more authentic.

OpenAI Remains Committed To Combat False Information

The latest action from OpenAI highlights the growing role of AI safety, especially in monitoring and preventing foreign interference in political processes. Notably, the firm has expanded its efforts to detect and disrupt such activities, leveraging its AI models to identify and address potential threats.

Meanwhile, the recent crackdown appears to be a part of the firm’s broader commitment to transparency and the ethical use of AI. In addition, the timing of the announcement is notable, as it comes just a week after Donald Trump’s campaign reported a security breach, which it attributed to Iranian hackers.