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Dark-Money Campaign Targets Chinese AI with Misleading Influencer Campaign

WIRED · Friday, May 1, 2026 · Category: Industry
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Dark-Money Campaign Targets Chinese AI with Misleading Influencer Campaign

A recent investigation has uncovered a clandestine campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion on the role of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) in the global tech landscape. At the heart of this operation is Build American AI, a nonprofit organization with ties to a super PAC backed by prominent tech executives. The super PAC's donors include key figures from OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, and Andreessen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm. According to reports, Build American AI is secretly funding a campaign to promote pro-AI messaging and fuel concerns about China's growing influence in the AI sector. The campaign appears to be targeting social media influencers, who are being paid to spread misinformation and create a sense of urgency around the perceived threat posed by Chinese AI. This strategy is part of a broader effort to shape public opinion and sway policymakers to adopt a more hawkish stance on AI competition with China. The involvement of OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz in this campaign raises questions about the motivations behind their support for Build American AI. Both companies have been at the forefront of the AI revolution, and their executives have been vocal about the need for the US to maintain its competitive edge in the field. However, the use of dark money and clandestine tactics to influence public opinion raises concerns about the integrity of the debate on AI policy. The investigation into Build American AI's campaign highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry. As AI continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it is essential that policymakers and the public have access to accurate and unbiased information about its development and deployment.

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