OpenAI said on Friday it had deactivated several accounts linked to an Iranian group allegedly exploiting its ChatGPT chatbot to create content to influence the US presidential election and other issues.
The operation, known as Storm-2035, was identified as a covert Iranian influence campaign that utilized ChatGPT to produce and disseminate content on various politically sensitive topics.
According to the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence company, these included commentary on both sides of the US elections, the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel's participation in the Olympic Games, and issues related to politics in Venezuela.
The content was shared through social media accounts and websites designed to mimic legitimate political news outlets, aiming to sway US voters.
OpenAI reported that the operation seemed to have had minimal impact in terms of audience engagement. The majority of the identified social media posts garnered little to no interaction, with few likes, shares, or comments. Additionally, there was no significant evidence of the associated web articles being circulated on social media platforms.
Earlier in August, a Microsoft threat intelligence report highlighted Storm-2035's activities, among other things, in orchestrating influence campaigns designed to sway voters, particularly in critical swing states.
These operations also included efforts to gather intelligence on political campaigns, potentially laying the foundation for future interference. The report disclosed that Storm-2035 established covert news sites aimed at left-leaning and conservative US voters, utilizing AI to plagiarize content and propagate polarizing political narratives.
Additionally, another group, Sefid Flood, has been preparing since March for potentially extreme influence operations, including intimidation or incitement of violence against political figures, with the intent to create chaos, undermine authority, and erode confidence in the integrity of elections.
Also, in May, OpenAI published an unprecedented report revealing that it had identified and disrupted five online campaigns that sought to deceptively manipulate public opinion and influence geopolitical dynamics. These efforts were orchestrated by state actors and private entities across Russia, China, Israel, and Iran.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump, as they approach the pivotal November 5th presidential election.
Last week, Trump disclosed that his campaign had been compromised in a cyberattack, which he attributed to a phishing email orchestrated by an Iranian hacking group.
"I salute the noble spirit of the nation's soldier, Martyr Lieutenant General Soleimani, and Martyr Ismail Haniyeh,” Pezeshkian said, while urging agreement and unity to approve the cabinet proposed earlier this month.
The parliament speaker announced that the vote of confidence will take place on Wednesday, August 21.
Pezeshkian was elected in a low turnout vote as many Iranians have lost hope and confidence that the clerical government can reform itself and address Iran’s multiple crises. However, he and his key supporters, such as former foreign minister Javad Zarif promised that he will act rationally in choosing his ministers and aides to bring about reform.
Pezeshkian repeated the same pledge in parliament. “The oath I took is an opportunity to become aware of the people's living conditions and to hear the voice of the entire nation for transformation and change. It is an opportunity to correct ineffective approaches and create hope and prosperity for the people.”
However, many of the ministers he has nominated are familiar faces, some hailing from the IRGC and others with dubious records from their previous government posts. Criticism about a half of the cabinet has rung out among regime insiders and even local media.
So far, Pezeshkian has taken no steps on two pressing demands of many voters, to put an end to internet censorship and police action on the streets against women for their lack of “appropriate” hijab.
Facing criticism about the composition of his cabinet, Pezeshkian and his allies have been insisting that it is a government of national unity and cooperation between different political factions. However, politicians who are allowed to operate in Iran come from a tiny strata of regime loyalists, and candidates for parliament are strictly vetted. No independent or dissident individual is allowed to have political activities.
Pezeshkian went on to defend his appointments, saying, "The government introduced to the parliament is a government of national unity, one that considers itself the government of all the people of Iran. It is committed to ensuring the civil rights of all Iranians. Adherence to the Constitution, the goals of the Vision Document, the general policies approved by the Supreme Leader…”
However, during the more than two weeks since his oath of office, security agencies and the Judiciary have continued their repressive measures, arrests and even a large of number of executions.
He told the majority-conservative parliament with a large hardliner faction that policies need to change to address the current crises. "The solution lies in mutual understanding and joint action to address the people's demands. If the people's voices are not heard in time, we will witness growing despair. The people are facing difficult economic conditions. We are witnessing injustices in various areas. The current policies and procedures are not capable of resolving these issues."
Pezeshkian also emphasized that people are dissatisfied with the governance of the regime, and added, "The people are dissatisfied with us today. We are the ones to blame. The fault does not lie with the United States or other foreign entities."