Ai astroturfing pollution gas appliances – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
Posted
J
External Link
Justine Calma
AI-generated comments helped derail a plan to cut pollution from home appliances.

California regulators killed a proposal that would have imposed fees on gas-burning furnaces and water heaters that release smog-forming pollutants. More than 20,000 comments they received opposing the proposal were generated by a single AI platform, some addressed from people with no idea their names had been used.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. The Light Flip is a minimalist flip phone with a point to prove
  2. The FCC is planning to retroactively ban disguised DJI gadgets
  3. Apple’s rumored ‘Upgrade’ program brings lease-to-own pricing for iPhones, Macs, and iPads
  4. Neill Blomkamp’s new zombie AI ‘film’ is just slop warmed over
  5. Samsung’s wider Z Fold 8 feels just right

More in Science

Utility companies promise to spare us from AI’s energy billUtility companies promise to spare us from AI’s energy bill
Who’s afraid of the big, bad GPU?Who’s afraid of the big, bad GPU?
SpaceX in your index fund, explainedSpaceX in your index fund, explained
The grueling, 630-mile road race where the only fuel is sunlightThe grueling, 630-mile road race where the only fuel is sunlight
Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce from the US market after cyclosporiasis outbreakTaylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce from the US market after cyclosporiasis outbreak
The manosphere’s testosterone obsession reaches the highest levels of US militaryThe manosphere’s testosterone obsession reaches the highest levels of US military

Top Stories