{
  "id": 4133659,
  "title": "After OpenAI, Elon Musk’s X says 200,000 China-linked bots targeted US AI debate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/after-openai-elon-musks-x-says-200-000-china-linked-bots-targeted-us",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-29T06:19:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/after-sam-altmans-openai-elon-musks-company-tells-americans-fake-accounts-from-china-are-trying-to-turn-you-against-/articleshow/133605321.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the recent aftermath of OpenAI's report linking China with datacentre protests across America, Elon Musk's conglomerate X, formerly known as Twitter, has echoed similar findings. The company has disclosed the existence of a bot farm network comprising approximately 200,000 accounts as part of its ongoing safety investigation into potentially deceptive Chinese accounts. This revelation was made public on X's Global Government Affairs page.\n\nOut of these 200,000 accounts, a mere 200 were found to be instrumental in posting content, which according to X, could potentially influence a genuine debate surrounding American AI and energy policy. These posts included claims regarding AI data centers driving up household electricity prices and straining the grid, along with AI-generated cartoons depicting data-center operators profiteering at the expense of the public.\n\nInterestingly, some of these posts were even using OpenAI's chatbot to generate illustrations and formulate talking points, a detail that echoes the methods described in OpenAI's report published in June. OpenAI had previously noted that accounts believed to be based in China were utilizing ChatGPT to create anti-data center content, with these users likely operating as part of a social media team at a private Chinese company, working for local government clients.\n\nDespite the discovery, X remains dedicated to upholding an open and authentic platform for public discourse. The company reaffirms its commitment to identifying and suspending any accounts that violate its authenticity policy. X has also included samples of the influencer posts to substantiate its claims, mirroring the approach taken by OpenAI in its June report.",
  "summary": "X, formerly Twitter, found a bot farm of 200,000 accounts. These accounts posted content to influence American AI and energy policy debates. The posts claimed AI data centers raise electricity prices and strain the grid. This discovery follows similar claims made by OpenAI regarding Chinese influence operations. Both platforms are committed to maintaining an authentic online discussion space.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "OpenAI says it's ending its deal with Cursor because Elon Musk's companies violate contracts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/openai-says-its-ending-its-deal-with-cursor-because-elon-musks",
        "published": "2026-08-29T03:57:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}