Yale Suspends Scholar Following AI-Generated Report Alleging Terrorist Ties

Helyeh Doutaghi, a pro-Palestinian advocate, denies accusations stemming from her association with a sanctioned group as Yale investigates potential legal violations.

• Yale University placed Helyeh Doutaghi, a scholar in international law, on administrative leave after an AI-powered news site alleged her ties to a U.S.-sanctioned pro-Palestinian group, Samidoun.
• The AI-generated article claimed Doutaghi's participation in Samidoun-sponsored events linked her to terrorism, though Doutaghi denies membership in any organization violating U.S. law.
• Samidoun was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department as a 'sham charity' for allegedly funding the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group classified as a terrorist organization.
• Yale officials cited 'potential unlawful conduct' in their decision, while Doutaghi and her lawyer criticized the move as an attack on free speech and academic expression.
• The incident highlights broader tensions, including the Trump administration's scrutiny of universities over alleged antisemitism and the use of AI in journalism, which has raised concerns about accuracy and accountability.

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