An AI-powered bot army on X spread pro-Trump and pro-GOP propaganda, research shows

Researchers at Clemson University have uncovered an army of political propaganda accounts on X powered by artificial intelligence, posing as real people to promote Republican candidates and causes. This network used large language models like ChatGPT to engage with other users and spread their messages. While it’s unclear who controlled or funded this operation, its focus on specific American political issues suggests it’s a domestic effort. As the November elections approach, concerns about AI-generated content influencing public opinion have grown. The accounts targeted specific races and candidates, supporting Republican nominees and policies. The researchers noted that this operation is the first documented use of LLMs in shaping political conversations on X, highlighting the potential for more sophisticated and widespread disinformation campaigns in the future.