general-public-of-the-european-union

What changed

In a report released by OpenAI, the company described how its generative AI tools were misused by state actors and private companies in Russia, China, Iran, and Israel to conduct covert influence campaigns aimed at manipulating public opinion and geopolitical narratives.

Timeline

1. 3 May 2026Covert AI Influence Operations Linked to Russia, China, Iran, and Israel, OpenAI Reports
   Incident82%

   • OpenAI Says Russia and China Used Its A.I. in Covert Campaignshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/technology/openai-influence-campaigns-report.html
   • Iran Emerges as a Top Disinformation Threat in U.S. Presidential Racehttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/business/media/iran-disinformation-us-presidential-race.html
   • AI Incident Database - Incident 774https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/774/

   OpenAI Says Russia and China Used Its A.I. in Covert CampaignsIran Emerges as a Top Disinformation Threat in U.S. Presidential RaceAI Incident Database - Incident 774
2. 29 June 2025Alleged Deepfake Videos Impersonate Lithuanian Politicians and Doctors in Purported Cross-Border Scam Network
   Incident82%

   • Deepfakes target Lithuania as part of wider European scam campaignhttps://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2597036/deepfakes-target-lithuania-as-part-of-wider-european-scam-campaign
   • ‘A new level of fraud’: deepfakes promoting anti-vaccine disinformation go viral in Lithuaniahttps://tvpworld.com/87541444/deepfakes-spreading-anti-vaccine-lies-flood-lithuanian-social-media
   • AI Incident Database - Incident 1119https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/1119/

   Deepfakes target Lithuania as part of wider European scam campaign‘A new level of fraud’: deepfakes promoting anti-vaccine disinformation go viral in LithuaniaAI Incident Database - Incident 1119
3. 19 Mar 2025AI-Enabled Organized Crime Expands Across Europe
   Incident82%

   • The DNA of organised crime is changing – and so is the threat to Europe | Europolhttps://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/dna-of-organised-crime-changing-and-so-threat-to-europe
   • Europol warns of AI-driven crime threatshttps://www.reuters.com/world/europe/europol-warns-ai-driven-crime-threats-2025-03-18/
   • AI Incident Database - Incident 994https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/994/

   The DNA of organised crime is changing – and so is the threat to Europe | EuropolEuropol warns of AI-driven crime threatsAI Incident Database - Incident 994
4. 7 Mar 2025Purported Deepfake Targets Olena Zelenska in Alleged Russian Disinformation Campaign
   Incident82%

   • Deepfake video targeting Zelensky’s wife linked to Russian disinformation campaign, CNN analysis showshttps://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/europe/deepfake-video-zelensky-wife-intl-latam/index.html
   • Deepfake targets Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenksa with false claim she bought Bugattihttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/olena-zelenska-false-claim-she-bought-bugatti/
   • AI Incident Database - Incident 755https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/755/

   Deepfake video targeting Zelensky’s wife linked to Russian disinformation campaign, CNN analysis showsDeepfake targets Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenksa with false claim she bought BugattiAI Incident Database - Incident 755
5. 21 Nov 2023Russia Reportedly Using Artificial Intelligence in Disinformation Campaigns to Erode Western Support for Ukraine
   Incident82%

   • Putin’s Next Target: U.S. Support for Ukraine, Officials Sayhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/us/politics/putin-ukraine-spy-united-states.html
   • The role of AI in Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Interview with expert Anton Tarasyukhttps://globalvoices.org/2023/10/13/the-role-of-ai-in-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-interview-with-expert-anton-tarasyuk/
   • AI Incident Database - Incident 602https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/602/

   Putin’s Next Target: U.S. Support for Ukraine, Officials SayThe role of AI in Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Interview with expert Anton TarasyukAI Incident Database - Incident 602

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