OpenAI has identified a troubling trend of Chinese actors leveraging its AI technology for covert operations, according to a comprehensive threat report released on June 5, 2025.
The San Francisco-based AI company disrupted ten malicious operations over the past three months, with four of them linked to China. These operations employed sophisticated tactics spanning social engineering, cyber espionage, and influence campaigns targeting multiple countries.
In one notable case dubbed "Sneer Review," Chinese operatives used ChatGPT to generate short comments across social media platforms including TikTok, X, Reddit, and Facebook in multiple languages. The operation created both posts and comments to simulate organic engagement, targeting topics ranging from U.S. foreign policy to criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game. Remarkably, the actors even used OpenAI's tools to create internal performance reviews documenting their operation's procedures.
Another China-linked campaign posed as journalists and geopolitical analysts to collect intelligence, using ChatGPT to craft convincing profiles, translate communications, and analyze data. A third operation generated polarized content supporting both sides of divisive U.S. political topics, complete with AI-generated profile images.
While China featured prominently in the report, OpenAI also identified malicious AI use from Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cambodia, and the Philippines. These included malware development, fake resume generation for corporate infiltration, and propaganda automation.
"What we're seeing from China is a growing range of covert operations using a growing range of tactics," said Ben Nimmo, principal investigator on OpenAI's intelligence team. However, he noted that most operations were disrupted early and reached limited audiences.
The report underscores how AI is lowering barriers for malicious actors while increasing operational efficiency. OpenAI emphasized the need for collective vigilance, stating: "We believe that sharing and transparency foster greater awareness and preparedness among all stakeholders, leading to stronger collective defense against ever-evolving adversaries."