Chinese propagandists successfully used the AI chatbot ChatGPT to write and translate op-eds critical of the U.S., which were then published in eight Spanish-language news outlets in Latin America last fall. The articles, which did not mention China, highlighted issues such as homelessness, racism, crime, and income inequality. Researchers found that the propagandists asked ChatGPT to translate and expand existing Chinese-language articles to create these pieces.
The op-eds were published in Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Mexican, and Spanish news outlets, and were written by individuals associated with a company called Jilin Yousen Culture Communication Co. Some of the articles were labeled as “sponsored,” but most were presented as authentic opinions. The articles were published in October 2024, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference held in Peru.
Although the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not provide a comment, the articles remained live. ChatGPT was also used to write posts in English criticizing a Chinese dissident, Cai Xia, which were posted on social media accounts pretending to be individuals from the U.S. or India.
This is the first known case of Chinese actors successfully planting articles in mainstream Latin American media outlets. Despite these efforts, the articles did not generate significant social media engagement. U.S. tech companies have accused Chinese propagandists of using similar tactics on Western social media platforms, targeting global audiences with messages that align with Beijing’s priorities. China has consistently denied these allegations, claiming no involvement in such efforts.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
