A new investigation by The New York Times has brought attention to the use of artificial intelligence in social media influence operations, naming two Israeli firms among a broader group of international entities experimenting with AI-powered bots. The report suggests that these companies leveraged open-source AI models to create networks of fake accounts capable of mimicking human behavior on various digital platforms.

There is a notable disagreement regarding the intent behind these operations. The report frames the activities within the context of global state-sponsored influence efforts, implying a potential for manipulation or deceptive practices. Conversely, at least one of the Israeli firms involved has publicly pushed back against this characterization. The company maintains that its development of these AI tools was not for deceptive influence, but rather for legitimate research purposes aimed at understanding and combating the spread of online misinformation.

Because the report groups these private Israeli firms with state-backed actors from countries like China and Iran, the distinction between commercial research and geopolitical influence operations has become a point of contention. The Times of Israel, in summarizing the findings, highlights the inclusion of the Israeli firms while noting the companies' own defense of their research activities. The report does not detail specific instances of these bots being used to sway public opinion or election outcomes, focusing instead on the technical capability of the firms to deploy such systems at scale.