OpenAI Bans Russian ChatGPT Accounts Used to Run Influence Operation

OpenAI has banned a cluster of Russian ChatGPT accounts that were used to run an influence operation, primarily to promote the International Burke Institute (IBI) and its associated website. The operation involved generating social media content and a 'sovereignty index' designed to present Russia in a positive light and criticize Western countries. OpenAI highlighted the sophistication of the operation, noting it was built around a credible-appearing institution with purported experts and republished academic work, showcasing how AI can be used to manufacture authority and obscure the source of narratives.