Google has removed its AI model, Gemma, from the AI Studio following accusations of defamation from U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Republican claimed that the model falsely fabricated a sexual misconduct accusation against her, leading the tech giant to take swift action.
Blackburn, in a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, alleged that Gemma falsely suggested she had been involved in a 1987 state senate campaign scandal. The model reportedly generated a claim that a state trooper had accused Blackburn of pressuring him for prescription drugs and engaging in non-consensual acts. Blackburn vehemently denied these allegations, stating that the accusation was baseless and entirely fabricated.
The senator also pointed out that the links provided by Gemma to back up the claim led to error pages or unrelated stories. Blackburn emphasized that such accusations had never been made against her. In her letter, she further referenced a Senate Commerce hearing where she voiced concerns about AI models, including Gemma, which she said had defamed conservative figures.
This controversy follows a broader issue with AI models generating false information. Activist Robby Starbuck has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming that its AI systems falsely labeled him as a “child rapist” and “serial sexual abuser.” Google’s Vice President for Government Affairs, Markham Erickson, acknowledged that AI “hallucinations”—instances where models produce false or misleading information—are a known challenge, but the company is working to address them.
However, Blackburn rejected this explanation, calling the incidents more than just “hallucinations.” She described them as deliberate acts of defamation, accusing Google’s AI systems of showing a bias against conservative figures.
In response to the controversy, Google clarified that Gemma was intended for developers and not as a consumer tool. The company stated that it had seen reports of non-developers using the model to ask factual questions. Google confirmed it would remove Gemma from the AI Studio but would continue offering it through an API for developers.
The dispute comes amid growing concerns about AI regulation and the potential for bias in AI systems. While Blackburn has not always supported the Trump administration’s tech policies, she echoed claims of bias against conservative figures that have been raised by some of the former president’s supporters.
