Activist Sues Google Over AI-Generated Defamation
People often rely on AI tools for guidance, but, as it turns out, these tools aren’t always accurate. In fact, they can sometimes be so misleading that they can lead to defamation lawsuits.
Robbie Starbuck, a conservative activist, is now suing Google after its AI systems made false claims about him, including accusations of sexual assault and child-related crimes.
In an interview, Blaze TV host Sarah Gonzalez asked Starbuck about how he became aware of the AI-driven fabrications. “Well, this all began about two years ago when someone reached out and told me about some bizarre claims someone named Byrd was making about me,” he recalled. Curious, Starbuck checked it out and found that the claims—like being involved in the January 6th events and being a KKK supporter—were completely unfounded.
Starbuck expressed disbelief at the time. “It sounded insane. How could anyone think that?” He used Bard, an AI tool, to verify the claims, which further revealed outlandish allegations, such as discussions about him deserving the death penalty for upsetting some Democrats.
Interestingly, when Starbuck asked the AI about notable Democratic figures, it wouldn’t respond, claiming it was inappropriate to speak ill of politicians. This led him to notify Google about the situation, even reaching out to someone there for assistance. However, he was informed that the individual he contacted was retiring.
His legal team has faced ongoing challenges, claiming that the AI systems—Gemma and Gemini—defamed him with made-up evidence, including fabricated medical and legal documents. Starbuck stated, “The AI didn’t just lie; it did so in a very calculated way, creating a narrative from a ‘victim’s’ viewpoint.” He stressed that the AI even mimicked major media sources to make the false claims seem credible.
Starbuck also pointed out the broader implications of such inaccuracies. “We’re seeing evidence that AI could influence election outcomes,” he warned. “If enough defamatory material exists, it could sway the next presidential election.”
