United States of America: Announced Montana AG investigation into Google's Gemini AI System

On 28 February 2024, the Attorney General of Montana (AG)announced an investigation into Google's Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) system. The investigation is based on allegations that the AI system prioritises Google's political bias over providing accurate information, potentially violating the Montana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (UTPCPA) and the Montana Human Rights Act (MHRA). The AG has requested information on the AI system's responses, such as its alleged refusal to create images of white families, representation of historically inaccurate influential figures as diverse rather than white, pro-Palestinian stances, discrediting of the "lab leak" theory concerning COVID-19, and refusal to converse about the Tiananmen Massacre. In particular, the AG aims to assess whether Google manipulated prompt production in any way to achieve politically desirable results, particularly in response to President Biden's White House's "Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights" and to political pressure from China. Concretely, such instances may lead to violations of Montana law on grounds of being discriminatory, misrepresenting Gemini's goal of providing accurate information and creating a hostile workplace environment. Google has been given until 29 March 2024 to respond to these questions.