US 'Build American AI' Organization Exposed for Inciting China AI Threat Theory with Hidden Funds

Wired magazine exposed that the non-profit organization "Build American AI" is suspected of inciting the China AI threat theory. Funded by executives from OpenAI, Andreessen Horowitz and others, it operates via hidden funds, collaborating with lifestyle bloggers to promote US AI industry and spread threat theories.

The organization commissioned SM4 to pay influencers $5,000 per TikTok video, requiring mentions of Sino-US AI competition and "importance of defeating China" without disclosing sponsorship. The related Super PAC "Leading the Future" has $140 million in donation commitments, part for pro-US AI agenda.

OpenAI denied association, but experts noted such hidden paid promotions lack supervision and harm democracy. The organization still runs ads on X, emphasizing AI leadership's national security significance.