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OpenAI Bans "Zero Zeno" Influence Operation

OpenAI Blog •
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OpenAI has banned accounts linked to an influence operation originating from Israel, dubbed "Zero Zeno." This operation utilized AI to generate content critical of Hamas, Qatar, and the BJP party, while promoting pro-Israel and pro-Histadrut narratives. The network, operated by the Israeli political campaign firm STOIC, spanned platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, websites, and YouTube.

"Zero Zeno" targeted audiences in Canada, the United States, Israel, and later India, with content in English and Hebrew. It created web articles, social media comments, and fictional personas. Some accounts used profile pictures generated by AI, with multiple accounts sometimes sharing the same image. The operation's content focused on various themes, including criticism of UNRWA, "radical Islamists" in Canada, pro-Palestinian protesters in US universities, Qatar's investments, and praise for Histadrut trade unions.

In May, the operation began generating comments targeting India, criticizing the BJP and praising the opposition Congress party. The activity also included posting unrelated comments in replies to prominent Western figures. OpenAI assessed "Zero Zeno" as a Category 2 operation, indicating significant posting activity across platforms but limited authentic engagement beyond the operation's own accounts.