[EPA=Yonhap News]

It has been revealed that an official associated with Chinese judicial authorities attempted to use the AI chatbot ChatGPT to orchestrate a smear campaign against a Japanese cabinet member.

According to OpenAI's "AI Malicious Use Prevention" report released on the 26th (local time), a Chinese law enforcement official planned and documented a systematic smear campaign against Sanae Takaichi, a Japanese cabinet minister, in mid-October of last year using ChatGPT.

Through this operation, dubbed a "cyber special operation," the official sought to incite negative public opinion by posting derogatory comments about Takaichi, sending critical emails to politicians while impersonating foreigners, and stirring up anger regarding U.S. tariffs on Japan.

OpenAI explained that ChatGPT refused the request to provide advice for such an operation.

However, it added that given the same user requested an edit of a document containing similar content at the end of October, it appears the operation was carried out without the assistance of ChatGPT.

In fact, social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) saw the posting of YouTube videos and critical posts about Takaichi using the "Right-wing Sympathizer" hashtag mentioned in the documents.

Nevertheless, OpenAI analyzed that the actual impact of such an operation was limited. The related YouTube videos had single-digit view counts, and most other social media posts received little to no reaction.

The OpenAI report stated that in addition to this campaign, Chinese judicial authorities have employed over 100 different tactics, such as creating and distributing fake obituaries and gravestone photos of dissidents, and suppressing human rights organizations.

OpenAI further noted that Chinese authorities appear to have systematically utilized not only ChatGPT but also domestic AI models, including DeepSeek.