technologyThursday, June 11, 2026event Jun 112 sources

OpenAI Accuses China-Based Actors of Using AI to Stoke Opposition to Data Centres and Trump Tariffs

OpenAI claims China-based actors have used generative AI to amplify public concerns about energy prices and oppose Donald Trump’s tariffs. The company reported efforts dating to late 2025 and early 2026, which appeared to have little effect.

OpenAI alleges that China-based actors have exploited ChatGPT accounts to stoke opposition to AI data centres, leveraging public concerns about energy prices. The company claims these efforts were part of a broader campaign to influence American debates on tariffs and data centres. OpenAI noted that its own attempts to counter these efforts, which began in late 2025 and early 2026, had minimal impact.

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US-China Strategic Competition

Sources

IndependentAl JazeeraJun 11, 07:59 AM
OpenAI says China-based actors stoking opposition to AI data centres

AI company says ChatGPT accounts sought to 'exploit and amplify existing public concerns' about energy prices.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostJun 11, 03:01 AM
Chinese propagandists stoking dissent over Trump tariffs and data centres, OpenAI says

Chinese propagandists have been trying to ⁠use OpenAI’s flagship chatbot ⁠to gin up opposition to Donald Trump’s ⁠tariffs and intervene in American debates over data centres and AI, OpenAI said in a report published on Wednesday. The company said its efforts, dating to late 2025 and early 2026, appeared to have had little or no effect, but it is another indication of ‌how central generative AI is becoming in digital influence campaigns – even those aimed against AI companies themselves. The...