OpenAI-Linked Organization Pays Influencers $5,000 Per TikTok to Spread 'China AI Threat' Message

According to WIRED, the nonprofit organization Build American AI, affiliated with the super PAC Leading the Future, has been systematically recruiting social media influencers through the marketing agency SM4 to spread "China threatens U.S. AI" messaging on TikTok and Instagram. The organization offered $5,000 per video to creators to naturally incorporate narratives about China stealing American data and jobs into everyday content.

Build American AI is a 501(c)(4) dark money organization funded by OpenAI co-founder and President Greg Brockman, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, Andreessen Horowitz, and AI company Perplexity. Leading the Future has raised $140 million in donations and pledges, with $51 million available as of April, according to FEC filings. OpenAI stated it has no affiliation with either organization and provided no funding.