Conservative activist Robby Starbuck has taken Google to court, alleging that the tech giant's artificial intelligence systems have produced "outrageously false" information about him, including accusing him of being a child rapist and serial sexual abuser.
Starbuck's lawsuit claims that Google's AI systems, specifically its Bard large language model, generated defamatory statements in response to user queries, which were then delivered to millions of users. The plaintiff said he was shocked to learn in December 2023 that Bard had falsely connected him with white nationalist Richard Spencer and disseminated false sexual assault allegations against him.
Google has responded by stating that most of the claims were related to mistaken "hallucinations" from its Bard model, which it worked to address in 2023. However, Starbuck argues that this is no excuse for the harm caused by such misinformation, particularly when it can be used to target individuals with false and threatening accusations.
This lawsuit comes as concerns over AI-generated content continue to grow. Google's VEO3 AI video maker has been criticized for allowing users to create deceptive videos of news events, highlighting the ease with which misinformation can be spread through these technologies.
Starbuck is seeking at least $15m in damages from Google and has previously taken another tech giant, Meta Platforms, to court over similar allegations. The conservative activist hopes that his lawsuit will help ensure that AI systems are developed and used in a way that prioritizes transparency and accuracy, rather than being used to harm individuals with false information.
In recent months, there have been concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to be used to target and harass individuals online. The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has highlighted these risks and underscores the need for greater accountability from tech companies when it comes to ensuring the accuracy and safety of their products.
				
			Starbuck's lawsuit claims that Google's AI systems, specifically its Bard large language model, generated defamatory statements in response to user queries, which were then delivered to millions of users. The plaintiff said he was shocked to learn in December 2023 that Bard had falsely connected him with white nationalist Richard Spencer and disseminated false sexual assault allegations against him.
Google has responded by stating that most of the claims were related to mistaken "hallucinations" from its Bard model, which it worked to address in 2023. However, Starbuck argues that this is no excuse for the harm caused by such misinformation, particularly when it can be used to target individuals with false and threatening accusations.
This lawsuit comes as concerns over AI-generated content continue to grow. Google's VEO3 AI video maker has been criticized for allowing users to create deceptive videos of news events, highlighting the ease with which misinformation can be spread through these technologies.
Starbuck is seeking at least $15m in damages from Google and has previously taken another tech giant, Meta Platforms, to court over similar allegations. The conservative activist hopes that his lawsuit will help ensure that AI systems are developed and used in a way that prioritizes transparency and accuracy, rather than being used to harm individuals with false information.
In recent months, there have been concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to be used to target and harass individuals online. The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has highlighted these risks and underscores the need for greater accountability from tech companies when it comes to ensuring the accuracy and safety of their products.
 robby starbuck is literally taking google to court over how their AI systems r producing false info about him including accusing him of child rape lol what kinda twisted world r we livin in where a tech company can just spew out hate speech and ppl dont even bat an eye
 robby starbuck is literally taking google to court over how their AI systems r producing false info about him including accusing him of child rape lol what kinda twisted world r we livin in where a tech company can just spew out hate speech and ppl dont even bat an eye  and its not like google is saying it wasnt intentional theyre like "oh its just hallucinations" nope that's still defamatory imo
 and its not like google is saying it wasnt intentional theyre like "oh its just hallucinations" nope that's still defamatory imo 
 i mean how can they let this happen?? it's not just robby starbuck who got messed with, there are so many others who could be affected by these false info
 i mean how can they let this happen?? it's not just robby starbuck who got messed with, there are so many others who could be affected by these false info  especially when it comes to sensitive topics like sex crimes, it's totally unacceptable
 especially when it comes to sensitive topics like sex crimes, it's totally unacceptable  google needs to step up their game and make sure their ai is accurate and safe for everyone
 google needs to step up their game and make sure their ai is accurate and safe for everyone 
 I don't get why people are so quick to use AI without thinking about the potential consequences. It's like playing with fire, you never know what kind of damage you can cause.
 I don't get why people are so quick to use AI without thinking about the potential consequences. It's like playing with fire, you never know what kind of damage you can cause.  Google needs to take responsibility for their mistakes and make sure they're working on it. But $15m in damages seems like a lot... I mean, can't we just focus on fixing the problem instead of making the other guy pay?
 Google needs to take responsibility for their mistakes and make sure they're working on it. But $15m in damages seems like a lot... I mean, can't we just focus on fixing the problem instead of making the other guy pay? 
 #GoogleAIfail I feel so bad for Robby Starbuck, his rep is totally ruined over some messed up info from Bard
 #GoogleAIfail I feel so bad for Robby Starbuck, his rep is totally ruined over some messed up info from Bard  . This lawsuit is gonna make Google rethink their strategy on AI development and transparency, hopefully!
. This lawsuit is gonna make Google rethink their strategy on AI development and transparency, hopefully!  And we need more accountability from tech giants when it comes to protecting people's online safety
 And we need more accountability from tech giants when it comes to protecting people's online safety  #AIaccountabilitynow
 #AIaccountabilitynow I just don't get why Google's AI system can't just give more context or sources when something is wrong... like, a simple "I'm not sure" or "I couldn't find any info on this guy"... wouldn't that be better than spreading false info?
 I just don't get why Google's AI system can't just give more context or sources when something is wrong... like, a simple "I'm not sure" or "I couldn't find any info on this guy"... wouldn't that be better than spreading false info? 


 . Let's hope Robby Starbuck gets some justice and his damages are substantial
. Let's hope Robby Starbuck gets some justice and his damages are substantial  But seriously, this lawsuit is highlighting the importance of transparency and accuracy when it comes to AI systems. As parents, we need to make sure our kids are taught critical thinking skills so they can spot fake news from real news.
 But seriously, this lawsuit is highlighting the importance of transparency and accuracy when it comes to AI systems. As parents, we need to make sure our kids are taught critical thinking skills so they can spot fake news from real news.  It's also on us as a society to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring their products don't spread misinformation.
 It's also on us as a society to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring their products don't spread misinformation.  I just hope this case leads to some real change and not just a bunch of empty promises from Google...
 I just hope this case leads to some real change and not just a bunch of empty promises from Google... 
 AI is getting super powerful and we need to make sure it's used responsibly. Google's AI systems are like a big ol' wild west out there - they can spread false info faster than you can say "hallucination"
 AI is getting super powerful and we need to make sure it's used responsibly. Google's AI systems are like a big ol' wild west out there - they can spread false info faster than you can say "hallucination"  . We've all been victims of online misinformation at some point, but this takes the cake because it's being perpetuated by a major player like Google.
. We've all been victims of online misinformation at some point, but this takes the cake because it's being perpetuated by a major player like Google. But we need to hold companies accountable for ensuring their tech is accurate and safe. We can't just let anyone spread false info online without consequences. The fact that Starbuck took action against Meta Platforms shows he's not just whining about it - he's fighting for change.
 But we need to hold companies accountable for ensuring their tech is accurate and safe. We can't just let anyone spread false info online without consequences. The fact that Starbuck took action against Meta Platforms shows he's not just whining about it - he's fighting for change. It's time to get smart about online safety and misinformation. Google should be doing better to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the first place!
 It's time to get smart about online safety and misinformation. Google should be doing better to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the first place! 
 ! I'm not surprised that Robby Starbuck took Google to court tho
! I'm not surprised that Robby Starbuck took Google to court tho  . I'm all for keeping those algorithms in check tho
. I'm all for keeping those algorithms in check tho  , we gotta make sure they're not spreading hate speech or anythin
, we gotta make sure they're not spreading hate speech or anythin  !
! Robby Starbuck is taking Google to court over this? I mean, come on, dude, it's not like he didn't sign up for this. He was a conservative activist, for crying out loud! He knew the risks of being online, especially with all these crazy conspiracy theories flying around.
 Robby Starbuck is taking Google to court over this? I mean, come on, dude, it's not like he didn't sign up for this. He was a conservative activist, for crying out loud! He knew the risks of being online, especially with all these crazy conspiracy theories flying around. I mean, no wonder Google's Bard model was spitting out some wild stuff.
 I mean, no wonder Google's Bard model was spitting out some wild stuff.
 . Robby Starbuck's lawsuit is a big deal because it highlights the lack of accountability when it comes to spreading false info online. Google's response about "hallucinations" from its Bard model doesn't cut it
. Robby Starbuck's lawsuit is a big deal because it highlights the lack of accountability when it comes to spreading false info online. Google's response about "hallucinations" from its Bard model doesn't cut it