Russian pranksters impersonated Umerov and discussed military use of AI with OpenAI
Фото - Валентина Поліщук/LIGA.net
Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus impersonated the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, and conducted a 17-minute video call with three senior OpenAI officials. During the meeting, the company representatives discussed cooperation with Ukraine and the possibility of using artificial intelligence in military operations.
This is reported by The Intercept. The pranksters also published a recording of the conversation on the Internet.
According to one of the organizers of the draw, Volodymyr Kuznetsov, they first contacted a senior Ukrainian official in San Francisco, introducing themselves as Umerov. The official believed them and helped organize a meeting with OpenAI representatives.
The video call was joined by Sasha Baker, Head of National Security Policy, Caroline Zier, Head of Strategic Initiatives, and Ben Crampton, Head of European National Security.
The fake Umerov did not turn on the camera during the conversation. At the same time, Baker and Zier noted that they had already met with the real head of Ukrainian intelligence before.
One of the topics was the possible use of OpenAI technologies in offensive military operations in Ukraine. Crampton admitted that some of the company’s management opposes such use of artificial intelligence.
At the same time, he emphasized that OpenAI is interested in the closest possible cooperation with Ukraine, although it will be difficult to immediately achieve the desired level of partnership.
Company representatives also spoke about contacts with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and cooperation on the Daybreak Blue system, designed to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities in computer systems.
In addition, Sasha Baker reported that OpenAI discussed with the Pentagon the possibility of assisting Ukraine.
The company confirmed the conversation with Russian pranksters. OpenAI spokesman Nate Evans said that verification of the authenticity of the video call began several weeks ago.
According to him, the company, together with the relevant authorities, established that it was a raffle, after which it took measures to prevent similar cases. They did not specify which ones.
Vovan and Lexus are Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, known for playing pranks on politicians and other public figures. They have been repeatedly accused of having ties to the Russian government and special services, but they themselves deny this.
As a reminder, OpenAI previously exposed a Russian influence operation whose participants used ChatGPT to spread fake news about Ukraine . The company blocked the accounts associated with the campaign.
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , X , Telegram , and Instagram .