Is the world’s most famous AI secretly working behind the scenes in Iran? While OpenAI doesn’t officially offer its services there, the technology is showing up in ways that have security experts on high alert. From high-level “influence operations” designed to sway global opinions to hackers using ChatGPT to scout out vulnerabilities in US infrastructure, the footprint of this tech is expanding. It’s not about the Iranian public using it to write emails; it’s about state-linked groups using it as a digital “force multiplier” to automate complex tasks like coding, translation, and even crafting convincing phishing scams.
The real game-changer is how AI is being used to bridge the gap between “beginner” and “expert.” Recent reports show that groups like CyberAv3ngers have used these models to find default passwords for industrial routers and map out sensitive targets in record time. Instead of spending weeks on research, they’re getting answers in minutes. Even as OpenAI moves to ban these accounts, the cat-and-mouse game continues, with Iranian actors reportedly exploring AI to modernize their governance and even their defense strategies. April 2026 is looking like a major turning point where we’ll see if these digital tools truly shift the balance of power.
