OpenAI says a suspected China-linked influence operation tried to sway the debate about US data centers

OpenAI recently reported that it has banned users likely based in China for attempting to manipulate discussions surrounding U.S. data centers through an alleged influence operation. This initiative aimed to weaken support for these facilities by creating fake accounts that masqueraded as American voices. Ben Nimmo, the principal investigator for OpenAI’s Intelligence and Investigations team, described the operation as a textbook case of foreign interference. He noted that it attempted to capitalize on a genuine domestic debate by spreading misinformation. "It’s particularly ironic that they would use American-made AI for this purpose," Nimmo remarked during a press briefing. The operation, dubbed the 'Data Center Bandwagon Campaign' by OpenAI, was characterized as small-scale and short-lived. Most of the posts associated with it garnered little to no genuine engagement on platforms like X and Facebook. The goal was to exploit existing public concerns about energy costs and the local effects of data center developments, but OpenAI found no substantial evidence that the campaign gained traction beyond its own activity. According to their findings, the users behind this campaign appeared to be part of a social media operations team connected to a private Chinese tech firm, working on behalf of provincial government clients. This activity reportedly took place between late 2025 and early 2026, coinciding with increased media coverage of data centers. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing debate regarding the construction of data centers in the U.S., which are deemed crucial for maintaining the country’s edge in the global AI landscape. The discussion has also been fueled by unrelated claims from Kevin O'Leary, a prominent business figure, who suggested that some opponents of his Utah data center might have ties to the Chinese Communist Party, a claim that was swiftly contested by the individuals named. OpenAI further disclosed another suspected operation, referred to as the 'Tech and Tariffs Campaign.' This initiative allegedly used ChatGPT to create short comments and political cartoons critical of U.S. tech policies and tariffs. Some posts featured AI-generated cartoons of former President Donald Trump in compromising situations, particularly around the time he announced a significant tariff increase on Chinese goods in October 2025. Interestingly, requests were made to exclude images of China's leader, Xi Jinping, from the generated content. Nimmo emphasized that while the effectiveness of these campaigns is debatable, they reveal the intentions behind influence operations originating from China, highlighting the narratives they are attempting to propagate.