A shadowy campaign funded by a super PAC backed by OpenAI and Palantir executives is paying social media influencers to frame Chinese artificial intelligence as a national security threat, according to an investigation. The nonprofit group, Build American AI, has enlisted lifestyle and tech creators to spread pro-American AI messaging and amplify concerns about Beijing's advancements.
In one Instagram video posted April 1, lifestyle influencer Melissa Strahle tells her 1.4 million followers, "AI lets me focus on what matters most. We need to invest in American-made AI to ensure America leads the way in innovation and job creation." The post is part of a coordinated effort that pays creators to blend patriotic appeals with warnings about China's AI progress.
The campaign reveals a new frontier in political influence, where dark money flows through social media personalities to shape public opinion on emerging technology. Build American AI, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, does not disclose its donors, but its linked super PAC has received substantial contributions from leaders in the AI industry.
Critics argue the initiative exploits fears of Chinese competition to push a pro-corporate agenda, while supporters say it's a necessary counter to Beijing's state-backed AI push. The Federal Election Commission has faced calls to investigate whether the paid influencer posts constitute undisclosed political advertising.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the line between grassroots advocacy and astroturfed propaganda continues to blur, with AI now at the center of the messaging war.