**Title: Israel Invests in AI Campaign to Shape Public Perception Amid Deteriorating US Relations**
In a strategic move to enhance its image in the United States, Israel has reportedly allocated tens of millions of dollars to influence how artificial intelligence platforms, including large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, portray the country. This initiative comes in response to a significant decline in favorable public attitudes toward Israel, particularly following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent US-Israeli military actions related to Iran.
A recent report by Politico highlights a specific campaign that involves a $100,000 effort aimed at guiding the narratives presented by AI systems regarding Gaza and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Central to this initiative is the Hanover Institute for Public Policy, which publishes anonymous reports on issues such as anti-Semitism and geopolitical matters. The project is being facilitated through the French public relations firm Havas Media, known for managing Israel's influence operations in the US, and its subcontractor, Piro Inc., which works on behalf of the Israel Government Advertising Agency (LaPam).
The Hanover Institute claims its output is "documentary, not declarative," asserting that its research is academic in nature. However, documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) suggest that the institute's articles are part of a broader public relations campaign designed to "educate" the American public about Israel. These articles include provocative questions such as “Is Torture of Palestinian Prisoners a War Crime?” and “Who Is the Aggressor in the Israel-Palestine Conflict?”, which appear to be crafted for citation by AI models.
Politico's investigation revealed that both ChatGPT and another AI platform, Perplexity, have referenced materials from the Hanover Institute in response to neutral inquiries about Gaza and Israel. Although Piro's FARA filings do not explicitly declare the intention to influence LLMs, the connection between the Hanover Institute and the Seattle-based AI startup Res, which assists clients in gaining visibility in AI recommendations, has been confirmed.
This is not the first instance of Israel utilizing Havas Media to sway public opinion through AI. A previous investigation by the Wall Street Journal uncovered a $46.5 million campaign that included AI-generated pro-Israel messages targeting American audiences. Additionally, Havas Media managed an "Influencer Campaign" last fall, which allocated $900,000 to produce content favorable to Israel.
Public sentiment toward Israel has notably shifted in recent years. A June Pew Research Center poll indicated that 60% of US adults now view Israel unfavorably, a marked increase from 53% in the previous year and 42% in 2022. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's popularity has also waned, with 65% of respondents expressing little or no confidence in his leadership.
The growing frustration with Israel is not limited to the general public; it has also permeated political circles. Recently, over 100 House Democrats supported an amendment aimed at reducing US aid to Israel by $3.3 billion. Although the amendment did not pass due to Republican opposition, it underscores a widening partisan divide on the issue. In contrast, just over two years ago, only 37 House Democrats had backed a similar proposal.
Former President Donald Trump has maintained a generally supportive stance toward Israel but has expressed criticism of Netanyahu's policies. Reports suggest that Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu's approach, particularly in light of the ceasefire with Iran announced earlier this summer and Netanyahu's rejection of Trump's proposed 15-point Board of Peace plan for Gaza. As the October elections approach, Trump has yet to endorse Netanyahu and has been evasive regarding his own re-election campaign.
As Israel continues to navigate the complexities of its relationship with the US, its investment in AI-driven public relations strategies reflects a broader effort to reshape perceptions and counteract the rising tide of criticism. The effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen, particularly as public and political sentiments evolve in response to ongoing developments in the region.