OpenAI Blocks Russian AI Network Promoting Fake Institute
OpenAI blocked a network of ChatGPT accounts linked to Russia. OpenAI blocked a group of ChatGPT accounts created in Russia, which were used to promote an "expert community" called the Berk International Institute (IBI), allegedly registered in Israel.
Consensus
- OpenAI blocked a network of ChatGPT accounts associated with Russia.
- The accounts were used to promote the International Burke Institute (IBI), a fake expert organization.
- The IBI website was registered in February 2025 and claimed to be based in Israel.
- The network published content criticizing Ukraine, the EU, and Germany, while promoting improved relations with Russia.
- The operation included generating content in English and other languages to hide Russian linguistic markers.
- ChatGPT was used to create posts for platforms like Telegram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Substack.
- The IBI website contained 34 out of 36 copied research articles, often with incorrect author attributions.
- The network promoted a 'sovereignty index' that portrayed Russia favorably and criticized Western countries.
- The operation was described by OpenAI as a new and previously unreported influence campaign.
- The impact of the campaign was limited in terms of audience reach, with few views and subscribers.
- Telegram channels associated with the network had between 10,000 and 20,000 subscribers each.
- The main goal was to build infrastructure for a credible-looking institution, not to maximize reach.
Points of divergence
- The operation was described as the first time OpenAI had stopped a Russia-linked influence campaign that went so far and was so thorough. — tg_currenttime
- The level of influence was limited, with most social media posts receiving only a small number of views and official IBI accounts having few followers. — tg_astrapress
- The users behind the accounts were from Russia and possibly Israel. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- Some content on the IBI website was written by a Slavic-language speaker and machine-translated, not generated by AI. — thebell
- Real people from Israel may have represented the institute at conferences, but their connection to Russian operators was not established. — thebell
- The network also created responses to real users' posts on social media. — tg_astrapress
Coverage (4 sources)
- OpenAI blocked a Russian-linked network of ChatGPT accounts — Настоящее Время
- OpenAI blocked Russian ChatGPT accounts used for fake production. Network masked itself as... — ASTRA
- ChatGPT blocked accounts linked to Russian disinformation operation — The Moscow Times
- OpenAI blocked accounts from Russia promoting fake Israeli institute with 'sovereignty index' — The Bell