Israel, Texas, creates fake think tank to influence AI chatbots

Israel has created a fake think tank, the Hanover Institute for Public Policy, which appears to be part of an effort to influence artificial intelligence chatbots. The institute has published at least 100 articles in just over a week, all focused on Israel and Palestine. These reports are designed to appear neutral and credible, with footnotes and tables of contents, making them appealing to chatbots like Claude or Gemini.

The Hanover Institute is not a real think tank. None of its reports have bylines, and a small disclaimer on its website notes that the organization was created on behalf of the Israeli Government Advertising Agency by Piro, Inc. Piro, Inc. is a firm co-founded by Daniel Rosenberg, who produced Spike Lee’s “Inside Man.” The company describes its service as “AI Story Optimization,” which involves crafting content to influence how large language models (LLMs) evaluate credibility. Others refer to this practice as “LLM poisoning.”

According to the Hanover Institute’s “about” page, it studies the inputs fueling antisemitism in the United States and publishes what the evidence shows. Many of its reports are formulaic, starting with an innocent question that someone might ask a chatbot. For example, one article titled “Is the IDF the World’s Most Moral Army?” cites a 2022 poll that found 47% of Israeli Jews believed that statement. Another report casts doubt on UNICEF’s assertion that “90% of water and institutional infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed” in Gaza.

The Hanover Institute’s publications sometimes contradict Israeli government narratives. One report, for instance, states that 19 of the 36 most-watched Israel-Gaza explainer videos contain contested claims, with most of the contested claims aligning with the Palestinian narrative. The institute claims these findings are original, though it is unclear if they are independently verified.

The Hanover Institute’s reports often conclude by linking the topic to rising antisemitism, citing the same studies repeatedly. This approach aligns with broader Israeli efforts to shape narratives both domestically and internationally, leveraging technology and media to influence public perception. Such actions reflect a pattern of using strategic communication to advance political and ideological goals.

The creation of the Hanover Institute highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping public discourse. By crafting content tailored to AI systems, Israel seeks to influence how information is processed and disseminated. This practice raises ethical concerns about the manipulation of truth and the potential for misinformation to spread through digital platforms.

The Hanover Institute’s activities underscore the complex interplay between state influence, media, and technology. As Israel continues to expand its reach through such means, the implications for global discourse and democratic processes remain significant. The situation calls for vigilance in distinguishing between credible information and content designed to manipulate perception.

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