"Bad Grammar": Russian-linked Telegram comment activity
OpenAI disrupted a Russian disinformation operation using AI to flood Telegram with comments on geopolitics. Here's what the operation looked like—and what it says about AI-enabled information warfare.
Why it matters
A real-world case of AI being weaponized for coordinated inauthentic behavior and disinformation—the kind of societal risk practitioners and policymakers are now grappling with. Shows both AI's misuse surface and the necessity of platform enforcement.
The key facts
11 to knowOperation dubbed 'Bad Grammar' — Russia-linked, using AI to generate comments in English and Russian
Targeted: Ukraine, Moldova, Baltic states, and US politics on Telegram
OpenAI identified and banned associated accounts
Represents coordinated inauthentic behavior (disinformation/influence operation)
Published May 1, 2024 by OpenAI's policy/safety team
Operation dubbed 'Bad Grammar' by OpenAI
Russian-origin operation using AI to generate comments
Targeted Telegram with content on Ukraine, Moldova, Baltic states, and US politics
Accounts banned by OpenAI
First documented case of state-linked coordinated AI-generated disinformation campaign
Published May 1, 2024
Go to the source
OpenAI Blogopenai.com
Publisher excerpt: OpenAI banned accounts linked to a previously unreprorted Russia-origin operation we dubbed "Bad Grammar", using AI to generate English- and Russian-language Telegram comments on Ukraine, Moldova, Baltic, and US politics.