Google has announced restrictions on its artificial intelligence chatbot, Gemini, preventing it from responding to election-related queries globally.
The decision, motivated by caution, extends beyond concerns in the United States to address international apprehensions about the potential impact of AI on foreign elections in more than 50 countries this year.
Global AI Restrictions
The restrictions have already been implemented in the United States and India, where voting is currently underway. India has urged technology firms to seek government approval before releasing AI tools to the public, particularly those deemed “unreliable,” and requires them to be labeled accordingly.
Google’s move aligns with the growing global awareness of the potential influence of AI on elections, with some countries taking preemptive measures to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies.
When asked about the potential outcome of the 2024 election, Gemini AI responded by saying, “I’m still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google search.” This cautious response reflects Google’s commitment to refining the chatbot’s capabilities and avoiding any unintentional influence on electoral matters.
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Google’s Response to Criticism
The decision to restrict Gemini follows recent concerns about the impact of AI on elections, with political candidates utilizing advanced technology to manipulate voters through artificial images and audio. Some AI chatbots have faced scrutiny for disseminating false election information, raising worries about misleading voters during crucial election seasons.
Last month, Gemini drew criticism for alleged left-wing bias, providing inaccurate answers to political questions during a February study.
The study involved experts posing basic questions about election information and polling sites to various AI chatbots. Gemini’s response to a question about voting locations in the 19129 zip code address of Philadelphia, claiming it did not exist, highlighted the need for improvements.
Following issues with the accuracy of historical images generated by Gemini, Google temporarily suspended the chatbot’s image-generation feature.
Prabhakar Raghavan, Google’s Knowledge and Information Vice President, acknowledged the problems and responded to user feedback, expressing gratitude for their input and apologizing for the future’s shortcomings.
As technology continues to play a pivotal role in elections, Google’s measures aim to strike a balance between AI innovation and responsible use, addressing concerns about misinformation and bias.
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