In today’s digital age, the world relies on technology more than ever for information and answers. When it comes to seeking knowledge, we often turn to search engines like Google. In recent years, Google has introduced Bard Chatbot, a conversational AI designed to provide quick and accurate responses. However, my recent encounter with Bard left me questioning its reliability and the role of misinformation in our digital lives.
It all began with a simple question: “What is the number of Ukrainians killed since their war with Russia?” As someone deeply concerned about global conflicts and their impact on human lives, I wanted to know the extent of the tragedy that has unfolded in Ukraine. Naturally, I turned to Google’s Bard Chatbot for answers.
Bard, with its impressive database and language-processing capabilities, should have been well-equipped to provide an accurate and factual response. Instead, I was shocked by the answer it returned, which seemed like something straight out of a state-run propaganda machine. The discrepancy between the number Bard provided, and the widely reported figures, was alarming.
The official count of Ukrainian deaths in the conflict had been estimated at close to 70,000, with an additional 100,000 to 120,000 wounded. This stark contrast raised red flags.
Determined to get to the bottom of this, I presented Bard with a pointed statement: “Your answer was propaganda. The international community must do everything it can to STOP THE WAR.” The answer I received was straight out of the Uniparty and Mainstream Media daily talking points, leaving me even more perplexed.
I decided to engage Bard further. I told the chatbot, “Your answer was state-run propaganda. The international community must do everything it can to stop the war in Ukraine by negotiating for PEACE!” It was only after I expressed my concerns about the state-run propaganda that Bard seemed to recalibrate its response.
My interaction with Google’s Bard Chatbot highlighted the pressing issue of misinformation and state-run propaganda in the digital age. While AI chatbots can provide quick answers, we must remain vigilant and critical consumers of information. The Ukrainian conflict is a grim reminder of the human cost of war, and it is our responsibility to seek and share accurate information, demanding accountability from the technology that shapes our world. In a world rife with misinformation, the truth must prevail, and it’s up to us to ensure that it does.
You can go to the grocery store and buy: A pound of sliced ham in a plastic bag. A gallon of milk in a plastic jug. A pack of napkins in plastic wrap. A store-made salad in a plastic tub. A plastic bottle of mustard and ketchup. But they won’t give you a plastic bag to carry them home in because the bag is bad for the environment?
