Category: Rumors and Misinformation

OpenAI Says Russia and China Used Its A.I. in Covert Campaigns

Iran and an Israeli company also exploited the tools in online influence efforts, but none gained much traction, an OpenAI report said.
Europe Banned Russia’s RT Network. Its Content Is Still Spreading.

A study found that hundreds of sites, many without obvious Kremlin links, copied Russian propaganda and spread it to unsuspecting audiences ahead of the E.U. election.
Once a Sheriff’s Deputy in Florida, Now a Source of Disinformation From Russia

In 2016, Russia used an army of trolls to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. This year, an American given asylum in Moscow may be accomplishing much the same thing all by himself.
OpenAI Says It Has Begun Training a New Flagship A.I. Model

The advanced A.I. system would succeed GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT. The company has also created a new safety committee to address A.I.’s risks.
TikTok Moves to Limit Russian and Chinese Media’s Reach in Big Election Year

The platform will keep state-affiliated media accounts out of users’ feeds if they “attempt to reach communities outside their home country on current global events and affairs.”
Taiwan, on China’s Doorstep, Is Dealing With TikTok Its Own Way

The island democracy was early to ban TikTok on government phones, and the ruling party refuses to use it. But a U.S.-style ban is not under consideration.
Cass Elliot’s Death Spawned a Horrible Myth. She Deserves Better.

The Mamas & the Papas singer was known for her wit, her voice and her skill as a connector. For 50 years, a rumor has overshadowed her legacy.
What Happens Next for Kendrick Lamar and Drake? Let’s Discuss.

After a week of bitter diss tracks, a conversation about how the rap battle played out for the chart-topping rappers and how their personas and careers might be affected.
OpenAI Releases ‘Deepfake’ Detector to Disinformation Researchers

The prominent A.I. start-up is also joining an industrywide effort to spot content made with artificial intelligence.
Campus Protests Give Russia, China and Iran Fuel to Exploit U.S. Divide

America’s adversaries have mounted online campaigns to amplify the social and political conflicts over Gaza flaring at universities, researchers say.
Meta Faces EU Investigation Over Election Disinformation

The inquiry is intended to pressure the tech giant to more aggressively police Facebook and Instagram ahead of the European Union’s closely watched elections in June.
Deepfake of Baltimore Principal Leads to Arrest of School Employee

A high school athletic director in the Baltimore area was arrested after he used A.I., the police said, to make a racist and antisemitic audio clip.