US paid $45 million for AI-generated texts to sway American opinion, investigation reveals

A major investigation has uncovered details of a vast influence operation allegedly funded by the American government to shape public opinion, involving artificial intelligence-generated messages and a network of fake websites. The campaign, reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars, was reportedly orchestrated by a former Trump adviser and designed to manipulate American citizens through coordinated digital messaging. The revelation comes after initial reports that the government had contracted the consultant for the controversial work.According to the investigation, the operation relied heavily on AI-generated communications sent directly to American citizens. The scheme also involved the creation of websites specifically designed to influence AI chatbots like ChatGPT, representing a novel approach to digital influence operations. This reflects growing concerns about how artificial intelligence can be weaponised to spread coordinated messaging at scale.The campaign reportedly targeted specific demographics and attempted to recruit high-profile figures to amplify its reach. Documents suggest the operatives drew up lists of celebrities and athletes they believed would be ideal for promoting the messaging, including names such as actor Chris Pratt and basketball player Steph Curry. The targeting of prominent public figures underscores how the operation sought to leverage social influence and celebrity endorsement to maximise its impact.The investigation raises significant questions about government spending on influence operations within the United States and the ethics of using artificial intelligence for public persuasion. It also highlights emerging vulnerabilities in AI systems when they are targeted by coordinated disinformation campaigns. As AI becomes more integrated into information flows, experts warn that such operations may become increasingly common without stronger oversight and transparency requirements.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.