Is Chat GPT not useful for Russian internet trolls, as per Open AI?

Open AI has identified five campaigns by foreign actors aimed at influencing public opinion in free democracies. The company suggests that the use of Chat-GPT by internet trolls has not significantly increased their reach, but independent experts disagree.

It has now been confirmed that both Chinese and Russian actors have utilized Chat-GPT to generate text for websites and social media posts in an effort to sway public opinion in democratic countries. Open AI named various actors, including organizations behind Russian disinformation campaigns like Doppelgänger and Chinese campaigns like Spamouflage, as users of Chat-GPT for influence operations.

The backdrop to these efforts is the strategic rivalry between stable democracies in Europe and America and countries like Russia and China. These foreign actors aim to weaken democracies by spreading false information and stirring up discord on social media platforms.

While Open AI’s report indicates that the use of artificial intelligence tools like Chat-GPT has not significantly increased engagement or reach for these influence campaigns, experts warn that AI can make it easier to spread disinformation. The ease of generating false information with AI tools can potentially destabilize democracies by quickly producing and disseminating false narratives.

Recent investigations have revealed the presence of fake media sites operating with a strong bias in favor of certain foreign actors. The use of AI in generating content for these sites makes it challenging to detect and combat influence operations effectively. Open AI’s efforts to identify and address these activities are commendable, but experts emphasize the need for greater transparency in the company’s methodology and processes.

Overall, while Open AI’s report sheds light on the use of AI tools for influence operations, there are concerns about the potential security risks associated with the proliferation of disinformation facilitated by these technologies. It remains crucial for companies like Open AI to continue researching and developing ways to counter the misuse of AI for malicious purposes.