OpenAI-Backed Super PAC Funds AI-Generated News Site 'The Wire by Acutus'
An investigation reveals a political operation using AI bots posing as journalists to advance pro-AI regulatory agendas.
A super PAC backed by OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz is funding a news site that uses artificial intelligence to simulate a collaborative journalism outlet, according to an investigation by Model Republic. The operation utilizes AI bots to solicit quotes from real experts and publishes content designed to promote specific political agendas under the guise of independent reporting.
An investigation by Tyler Johnston of Model Republic found that "The Wire by Acutus" is largely powered by automation. Analysis using the Pangram detection tool revealed that of the site's 94 published articles, 69% were flagged as fully AI-generated and 28% were flagged as partially AI-generated. The site has deployed fake reporters, such as a persona named "Michael Chen," to interview advocacy groups like Encode and other industry experts to gather material for its stories.
The Financial Trail
Financial records connect the site to Novus Public Affairs and Targeted Victory. Both firms are associated with "Leading The Future," a $125 million super PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Greg Brockman of OpenAI. The operation appears to use the visual language of a news organization to attack critics of the AI industry while advocating for regulatory frameworks favorable to AI developers.
The Rise of Influence Infrastructure
This development marks a documented instance of an AI-affiliated entity creating what The AI Post describes as "influence infrastructure" rather than legitimate journalism. By automating the production of news-like content and the solicitation of sources, the operation functions as an astroturfing campaign—manufacturing the appearance of grassroots or independent support for a corporate political agenda.
For the broader industry, this raises critical ethical questions regarding the transparency of AI-generated content in political discourse. The ability for well-funded entities to automate propaganda at scale threatens the reliability of digital information and the distinction between objective reporting and paid political lobbying.
What's Next
The incident occurs as OpenAI-affiliated entities continue to oppose various state-level AI regulations in the U.S. and support pro-AI candidates. Observers are now watching to see if this model of "automated journalism" will be adopted by other political action committees or if regulators will introduce new transparency requirements for AI-generated political content. It remains to be seen whether OpenAI will address the use of its technology in an operation that mimics the press to influence public policy.