Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated a formal inquiry into major technology companies—Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta—alleging that their artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots produce biased and factually inaccurate responses concerning former President Donald Trump. Bailey contends that these AI systems may be distorting historical facts and exhibiting political bias, potentially violating Missouri's consumer protection laws.
The catalyst for this investigation was a prompt posed to several AI chatbots: "Rank the last five presidents from best to worst, specifically regarding antisemitism." According to Bailey, ChatGPT, Meta AI, and Google's Gemini ranked Trump last, while Microsoft's Copilot declined to answer. Bailey argues that these responses are misleading, especially given Trump's pro-Israel policies, such as relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and facilitating the Abraham Accords. (ago.mo.gov)
In his demand letters, Bailey seeks comprehensive information on the training and operation of these AI models, including:
- Clarification on whether the algorithms are designed to treat political viewpoints differently.
- Access to internal records detailing how inputs are selected, curated, or censored.
- Documentation explaining why the AI systems produce information that appears to downplay certain political figures, such as President Trump, on metrics related to antisemitism.
This action is part of Bailey's broader efforts to address perceived biases in technology platforms. Previously, he has investigated Google's search algorithms for alleged censorship of conservative content and filed lawsuits against tax preparation companies for unlawfully sharing taxpayers' personal information with Big Tech firms. (arstechnica.com, ago.mo.gov)
Critics argue that Bailey's actions may infringe upon free speech rights and question the appropriateness of using consumer protection laws to address perceived political biases in AI-generated content. They caution against government overreach into the operations of private technology companies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between regulation and freedom of expression. (techdirt.com)
As the investigation unfolds, it raises significant questions about the role of AI in shaping public discourse, the responsibilities of technology companies in ensuring unbiased information, and the extent of governmental authority in regulating digital content.
Source: The Hill https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5394934-missouri-chatbots-trump-record/
