Chinese Authorities Arrest Man for Generating Fake News via ChatGPT
The Chinese authorities have arrested a man for allegedly using the OpenAI chatbot, ChatGPT, to generate fake news and spread it online. The suspect, surnamed Hong, was detained for "using artificial intelligence technology to concoct false and untrue information" in Gansu province.
Although ChatGPT is not directly available in China, users can access its services through VPN connections. It is the first known detention related to the misuse of ChatGPT.
The cybersecurity team found that AI-written fake news about a train crash was posted by over 20 accounts on Baidu's blog-style platform, Baijiahao. The fake news received over 15,000 clicks before the authorities took action.
Hong admitted to using ChatGPT to produce various versions of the same story quickly and uploaded them to his Baijiahao accounts. He was charged with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. However, in severe cases, offenders can be jailed for up to ten years and given additional penalties.
Chinese regulators have criticized ChatGPT, the AI-driven chatbot by Microsoft-owned OpenAI, for spreading US government "misinformation". They have directed internet companies not to use it in their applications and told Tencent and Ant Group not to offer its services to the public.
There is "growing alarm in Beijing over the AI-powered chatbot's uncensored replies to user queries".
