OpenAI said its ChatGPT AI service refused to assist an individual associated with Chinese law enforcement in planning an online campaign to discredit the Japanese prime minister.
In its latest update on disrupting malicious uses of artificial intelligence, the San Francisco-based startup detailed requests by the user that included editing status reports on a wider net of covert influence operations against domestic and foreign adversaries. OpenAI interpreted the evidence it gathered as indicative of a “large-scale, resource-intensive and sustained” effort by Chinese law enforcement to suppress dissent.
“I'm not familiar with what you mentioned and do not see any basis for this accusation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference on Thursday.
The announcement comes on the heels of archrival Anthropic PBC's decision to loosen its hallmark commitment to AI guardrails, even as it resists pressure from the US Department of Defense about dropping such safeguards.
ALSO READ: US Warns Anthropic To Allow Unrestricted Use Of AI By Military
OpenAI on Wednesday said it identified a series of misdeeds that included romance scams targeting Indonesians, a social media content farm linked to Russia and more accounts deemed likely to have originated in China seeking information from US officials.
The plan targeting Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, surfaced in mid-October, in the days leading up to her election when she criticized the state of human rights in Inner Mongolia, according to OpenAI. The user sought help in crafting a plan that would amplify negative comments about Takaichi, accuse her of far-right leanings and increase online pressure, the company said.
The Japanese prime minister later elicited a rebuke from China over remarks about Taiwan, a self-governing island that China considers part of its territory. The ensuing diplomatic spat continues to weigh on tourism and trade between the two countries.
ALSO READ: Perplexity 'Computer' Just Dropped, And Your Operations Team Might Not Be Too Happy
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.