Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta AI is at the center of a political storm after its chatbot displayed clear bias in responses regarding Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The AI, designed as a conversational assistant, has been criticized for delivering glowing praise for Harris while casting Trump in a negative light, raising concerns about the potential influence of Big Tech in shaping public perception as the 2024 election season intensifies.
When users asked Meta’s AI about Kamala Harris, the bot responded by lauding her achievements, emphasizing her “trailblazing leadership” as the first Black and South Asian American vice president. It further praised her work on voting rights, rent relief, and job creation. The chatbot described Harris as a figure committed to defending the rights and freedoms of all Americans, offering voters what it called “compelling reasons” to cast their ballot for her in November.
trump posted a photoshopped image of Kamala Harris with Diddy yesterday. The original pic was with Monte Williams.
NO network media has reported on it.
Meanwhile — these are real.👇 pic.twitter.com/EcD6yR7ggF
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 22, 2024
In stark contrast, when prompted with questions about Donald Trump, the AI referred to him as “boorish and selfish,” “crude and lazy.” It highlighted criticisms of his presidency, including accusations of voter suppression and controversies surrounding his administration. The chatbot also downplayed Trump’s achievements, omitting key details such as his appointment of three, not two, Supreme Court justices, and his economic reforms, which are widely recognized as significant accomplishments during his tenure.
This imbalance has drawn backlash from conservative circles, with accusations of election interference surfacing. Critics argue that the chatbot’s responses reflect a broader trend in Big Tech of suppressing conservative voices while promoting liberal perspectives. Meta’s AI is not the only tool under fire—Amazon’s Alexa faced a similar controversy earlier this year after it refused to answer questions about Trump while praising Harris.
Early voting begins today in VIRGINIA where the latest polls show that state neck and neck.
Trump supporters are swarming the polls chanting "TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP!" and "Make America Great Again!"
We have the energy. We have the enthusiasm.
Let's do the work. Let's win. pic.twitter.com/sO1HqOKSiU
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 20, 2024
The situation prompted a response from Republican lawmakers, with Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, expressing concern over how these AI systems might be used to influence public opinion. Comer pointed to Meta’s apparent favoritism in its responses as troubling, especially with the 2024 elections looming.
Meta has since defended the chatbot’s varying answers, claiming that repeat queries to the AI system can result in different responses. A company spokesperson stated that, like other generative AI models, Meta’s assistant is prone to inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Meta also assured the public that it continues to refine the AI’s capabilities based on user feedback and has made strides to improve the quality of its outputs.
This incident underscores a broader conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in the political arena. As AI tools become more integrated into everyday life, concerns about bias and misinformation are growing. Conservatives have long accused tech giants like Meta, Google, and Twitter of skewing content to favor left-leaning viewpoints. Meta’s recent missteps seem to fuel these allegations, with some warning that the unchecked influence of AI could tilt the scales in future elections.
The chatbot controversy also spotlights the need for transparency in how AI systems are programmed, particularly in politically sensitive areas. Calls for regulation are growing louder, with many advocating for oversight to ensure these platforms provide balanced and accurate information. Without such safeguards, the potential for AI to manipulate public opinion poses a significant threat to the integrity of democratic processes.
