OpenAI's super PAC is funding AI-generated news site attacking industry critics
4 hours ago
- AI-generated news site Acutus, launched in late 2025, produces articles using automated systems with minimal human oversight, as revealed by source code analysis.
- The site's 'reporter' Michael Chen is an AI agent that conducts interviews via written Q&A, and most articles are flagged as AI-generated by detectors.
- Acutus is linked to Republican PR firm Novus Public Affairs, with evidence pointing to its president Patrick Hynes as a key operator.
- The site's content aligns with talking points of OpenAI's super PAC Leading The Future, suggesting the PAC may fund it to push an anti-regulation agenda.
- Acutus blurs journalistic ethics by presenting advocacy as independent reporting, including undisclosed client relationships and AI-generated quotes from real people.
- OpenAI's involvement contradicts its own policies against political campaigning and AI-driven influence campaigns.