OpenAI security officials reportedly fooled by Russian pranksters in shocking 17 minute call: Here is what happened
Russian pranksters tricked senior OpenAI officials by posing as a Ukrainian security official.
The 17-minute call reportedly discussed AI use in offensive military operations.
OpenAI confirmed the prank after an investigation and promised stronger safeguards.
Russian pranksters pretending to be senior Ukrainian government officials reportedly tricked OpenAI’s top national security officials. The two pranksters, identified as Vovan and Lexus, reportedly met with OpenAI representatives for 17 minutes while posing as Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. During the conversation, the participants talked about OpenAI’s military support for Ukraine and the possibility of using AI in offensive military operations. OpenAI said it investigated the call and concluded it was a prank. Follow along with the article to learn more about how the pranksters orchestrated the call and what happened next.
How Russian pranksters arranged the OpenAI meeting
According to a report by The Intercept, the Russian pranksters told the outlet they approached a senior Ukrainian official in San Francisco while pretending to be Umerov. The official reportedly believed the request was genuine and offered to arrange an introduction to OpenAI’s national security team.
Three senior OpenAI officials, notably Sasha Baker (head of national security policy), Caroline Zier (lead for strategic initiatives) and Ben Crampton (lead for European national security initiatives), joined the video meeting.
The person posing as Umerov appears to have kept his camera switched off throughout the conversation, and Baker and Zier both said they had met him previously and were pleased to be speaking with him again. The call between the prankster and the OpenAI executives went for about 17 minutes.
OpenAI officials discussed offensive military AI use
During the conversation, both parties reportedly had a discussion about possible cooperation between OpenAI and the Ukrainian military. Not only that, but the participants also discussed whether the company’s AI tools could be used for offensive military operations.
According to the recording cited by The Intercept, Crampton said many senior OpenAI leaders were hesitant about allowing the company’s technology to be used for offensive military purposes. However, he expressed interest in building a closer relationship with Ukraine.
Other than the above-mentioned, the discussion also touched on OpenAI’s Daybreak Blue AI model, which is used to fix computer vulnerabilities, and possible cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
What did OpenAI say?
In a statement provided to The Intercept, OpenAI said that it had launched an investigation into the authenticity of the call weeks before the report was published. It added that it worked internally and with the relevant authorities and concluded the meeting was a prank.
However, the AI giant did not disclose the specific security measures introduced or the exact date of the meeting. The company said it has taken action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus: Everything you should know
Vovan and Lexus are the pseudonyms of Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov. The duo have been known for impersonating politicians, celebrities and other prominent figures since 2011.
Their previous targets have included musician Elton John and the late US senator John McCain. They have faced allegations of links to Russian intelligence and government circles, although both have denied working for the Russian government.