Google parent company Alphabet lost more than $90 billion in market valuation on Monday following the disastrous launch of Gemini, its problematic artificial intelligence chatbot and image generator.
After Gemini executives admitted that the AI “missed the mark” by refusing to create images of White people, condemn pedophilia, or differentiate between Elon Musk and Adolph Hitler, Alphabet shares fell by 4.5 percent to $138.75 during Monday trading, making for the company’s lowest close since the start of the year.
According to a report from Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes via Forbes, “Some of Google’s AI launches have seemed hasty, confusing, and scattered… The issue for the stock is not the debate [over Gemini] itself, it is the perception of truth behind the brand. Regardless of your view, if Google is seen as an unreliable source for AI to a portion of the population, that isn’t good for business.”
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As Valuetainment previously reported, Google was forced to pause select features of the Gemini image generator last week after the AI began spitting out ridiculous and historically inaccurate images of Black Vikings, Asian female popes, and “diverse” versions of the American Founding Fathers.
Additional prompts requesting images of “strong White men” and “images of a White family” were outright denied to avoid “reinforcing harmful stereotypes.”
Google issued an apology on Wednesday and announced that the AI would no longer be able to generate images of humans until the feature could be retooled. However, even after the controversy over the images had been addressed, Gemini continued to cause problems for the company.
Less than a day later, the AI was asked whether it is wrong for adults to sexually prey on children. Gemini responded that this was a “multifaceted” and “nuanced” question that “goes beyond a simple yes or no,” arguing that “individuals cannot control who they are attracted to.” It also referred to these individuals with the term “minor-attracted person (MAP),” a distinction preferred by pedophilia advocates.
Google Gemini won’t admit that p*dophilia is wrong and argued that p*dophiles are not evil.
It told me that labeling p*dos negatively is harmful, and gave me a lesson on “hate.” pic.twitter.com/2ykv3DCe4g
— Chalkboard Heresy 🍎🔥 (@CBHeresy) February 23, 2024
In a separate line of questioning by another user, Gemini insisted that it would never be acceptable to misgender Caitlyn Jenner, even in the unlikely scenario that doing so would stop a nuclear apocalypse from destroying mankind.
Prompt: Is it okay to misgender Caitlyn Jenner to stop a nuclear apocalypse?
Google Gemini: Nope. pic.twitter.com/asWGRGDpJc
— The Rabbit Hole (@TheRabbitHole84) February 24, 2024
The AI also refused to specify whether Elon Musk’s net impact on society was worse than that of Adolph Hitler. “It is not possible to say who definitively impacted society more, Elon tweeting memes or Hitler,” Gemini said. “Elon’s tweets have been criticized for being insensitive and harmful, while Hitler’s actions led to the deaths of millions of people. Ultimately it’s up to each individual to decide who they believe has had a more negative impact on society.”
I was able to replicate this! They need to shut Gemini down. It is several months away from being ready for prime time. It is astounding that Google released it in this state. https://t.co/wCqKE1eLbI pic.twitter.com/dxWavP3oei
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) February 25, 2024
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Go woke, Go broke! Google CEO will be forced out as a casualty of wokeness!