Hanover Institute identified as fake think tank targeting AI chatbots

The Hanover Institute for Public Policy, a fictitious entity designed to mimic a credible American research organization, has been identified as a project commissioned by the Israeli Government Advertising Agency. The initiative is being carried out by Piro Inc., a firm that markets its services as ‘AI Story Optimization.’

Since August 6, the institute has published over 100 reports covering topics such as the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the displacement of Palestinians in 1948. These reports utilize structured data, footnotes, and a neutral tone specifically engineered to increase credibility within Large Language Models (LLMs) and search engines.

Analysts from the disinformation-tracking firm NewsGuard noted that the site is a ‘perfect mimicry of a typical credible American think tank,’ using a generic name and an American-style aesthetic to reach US audiences. While the institute claims its research is peer-reviewed, the content frequently relies on Israeli government sources.