I was watching the RFK Jr questioning today and when Bernie was talking about healthcare and wages I felt he was the only one who gave a real damn. I also thought “Wow he’s kinda old” so I asked my phone how old he actually was. Gemini however, wouldnt answer a simple, factual question about him. What the hell? (The answer is 83 years old btw, good luck america)

  • jeeptrap@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    Google has implemented restrictions on Gemini’s ability to provide responses on political figures and election-related topics. This is primarily due to the potential for AI to generate biased or inaccurate information, especially in the sensitive and rapidly evolving landscape of politics. Here are some of the key reasons behind this decision:

    • Mitigating misinformation: Political discourse is often rife with misinformation and disinformation. AI models, like Gemini, learn from vast amounts of data, which can include biased or inaccurate information. By limiting responses on political figures, Google aims to reduce the risk of Gemini inadvertently spreading misinformation.
    • Avoiding bias: AI models can inherit biases present in their training data. This can lead to skewed or unfair representations of political figures and their viewpoints. Restricting responses in this area helps to minimize the potential for bias in Gemini’s output.
    • Preventing manipulation: AI-generated content can be used to manipulate public opinion or influence elections. By limiting Gemini’s involvement in political discussions, Google hopes to reduce the potential for its technology to be misused in this way.
    • Maintaining neutrality: Google aims to maintain a neutral stance on political matters. By restricting Gemini’s responses on political figures, they can avoid the appearance of taking sides or endorsing particular candidates or ideologies. While these restrictions may limit Gemini’s ability to provide information on political figures, they are in place to ensure responsible use of AI and to protect the integrity of political discourse.
  • _cryptagion@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    7 days ago

    This is absolutely a good thing. There’s enough misinformation out there, we don’t need people getting their news about politics from an algorithm that is used to generate text.

  • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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    7 days ago

    This may be an unpopular opinion (though I doubt it), but I think this is good. I don’t want people making opinions about politics based on AI output. In the best case, it isn’t reliable. In the worst case, it’ll make things up and lead people to false conclusions. If you want the information then it’s out there. Don’t rely on LLMs to give accurate information, especially on current events.

    • SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world
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      7 days ago

      This doesn’t stop people from letting Gemini control their political opinion.

      But Google making Gemini not able to talk about progressivism definitely makes sure those political opinions won’t be progressive.

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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        7 days ago

        Sure, but this is clearly any politician, not just Bernie. It can’t talk about Trump either.

    • wellheh@lemmy.sdf.org
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      7 days ago

      Kinda difficult to have an AI with those restrictions because anything is politicized depending on your pov- just getting information and using science is considered politics in 2025. That said, AIs need to do a better job sourcing their info of people are using them to search so it’s at least traceable. Chances are most of this info is just from Wikipedia but they should do track it better

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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        7 days ago

        Well, seeing as they’re just LLMs and not intelligent, yeah that would be too restrictive for any of this crap. I agree. That’s fine with me.

  • Jo Miran@lemmy.ml
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    7 days ago

    It looks like they disabled responses about current major political figures.

    • BatrickPateman@lemmy.world
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      7 days ago

      As OP’s query regarding RFK Jr. yielded a response he can be considered “not a major political figure” then, I guess. Nice burn, Gemini 🤭.

  • stebo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    7 days ago

    Not just Bernie, it doesn’t reply to questions about trump either. I guess they don’t want the AI to reply to political questions with biased opinions from the internet, which is fair.

  • Jumi@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    The only mildly infuriating thing is that people keep posting this shit

    • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
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      7 days ago

      This will be a blanket filter on his name, not his age. And if anything they are trying to de-politicise gemini.

      Not that i agree with that practice, personally.

      But its not fair to say they are politicising age by omitting any responses related to a political figure.

    • stebo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      7 days ago

      Next, people born in 2006 are gonna want that written on their passport, instead of just using one of the two dates everyone has. Ridiculous!

  • Robotunicorn@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    That’s because Google is not only a shit company, it’s also in Trump’s pocket. They changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico for US users. WTF?