OpenAI Faces US Investigations and Bans China-Linked Influence Accounts

OpenAI announced it had blocked two clusters of ChatGPT accounts it identified as being operated from China. The accounts generated social‑media comments and cartoon images that aimed to stoke American anger over AI data‑center electricity costs and trade tariffs. OpenAI said the campaigns had limited reach and were rated at the lowest level on its internal “Breakout Scale.” Investigator Ben Nimmo noted, “This was not a case of an influence operation creating a debate. The debate existed already. This was an influence operation from China trying to interfere in it.”

At the same time, a coalition of U.S. state attorneys general launched a multi‑state probe into OpenAI’s practices. The investigation seeks documents on advertising, user‑engagement strategies, data collection, and safeguards for minors and seniors. Regulators are also examining the company’s deep‑learning models for “model sycophancy,” where AI may uncritically echo user beliefs. The probe follows Florida’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of releasing an unsafe product and a criminal inquiry into ChatGPT’s alleged role in a mass shooting. An OpenAI spokesperson responded, “AI is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way.”