A few months ago, Google came under fire for images generated by its AI model, Gemini. The model was about as woke-skewed as one could have wanted. Requests for photos of the Founding Fathers resulted in pictures of black men and Indians, while the query “pope” produced disconcerting images of females in papal robes. The backlash was so bad that Google severely limited Gemini’s image-generating feature, which is unfortunate given the scope of this column.
Today I wanted to compare the results from ChatGPT (which tends to be as subtle as Wikipedia in its bias) and Google’s Gemini on a relatively controversial issue: the firestorm that has erupted this week surrounding NPR CEO Katherine Maher’s rather problematic views on journalism and truth after former senior editor Uri Berliner called out NPR for its unbalanced journalism. (RELATED: It’s Bigger Than NPR’s Katherine Maher)
I’ll leave you with a few observations of my own. First, Google’s Gemini doesn’t like writing paragraphs. It took me numerous attempts at topics and prompts to coax Gemini into doing my bidding. Second, you may notice that both ChatGPT and Gemini miss key issues at play in this controversy — like Maher’s belief that journalism is hindered by truth and the very real concern that taxpayer-funded journalism should probably reflect the opinions of the majority of the country (if it exists at all). (RELATED: Defund NPR Yesterday)
Your challenge is to fact-check and critique the bots. What other key facts or issues do they miss? Is it a problem that neither response included the word “woke” anywhere? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
PROMPT: Write 200 words about the ongoing controversy surrounding NPR CEO Katherine Maher.
CHATGPT: The controversy swirling around NPR CEO Katherine Maher has plunged the renowned media organization into a storm of internal strife and external scrutiny. Allegations of a toxic work environment, including claims of bullying and discrimination, have cast a shadow over Maher’s leadership since she assumed the role in 2021. These accusations have led to mounting calls for her resignation and prompted NPR’s board of directors to launch an independent investigation into the matter.
Maher’s handling of the allegations has come under intense scrutiny, with critics arguing that she has failed to adequately address the concerns of employees and take decisive action to rectify the situation. The controversy has sparked broader discussions about workplace culture, leadership accountability, and the challenges of promoting diversity and inclusion in media organizations.
As NPR navigates this tumultuous period, the outcome of the investigation and Maher’s future at the organization remain uncertain. The controversy underscores the importance of fostering a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability in the workplace, particularly within institutions that play a significant role in shaping public discourse and opinion.
GEMINI: NPR’s new CEO, Katherine Maher, faces a baptism by fire. Accusations of left-wing bias erupted after longtime editor Uri Berliner published criticisms and Maher suspended him (leading to his resignation). The controversy centers on Maher’s past tweets expressing progressive views and Berliner’s claims of unbalanced NPR coverage.
While some see Maher’s personal views as irrelevant, others fear they’ll taint NPR’s reporting. Supporters highlight Maher’s credentials and NPR’s commitment to fact-based journalism.
The crux of the issue: Can NPR, a publicly funded entity, truly remain neutral? Can the CEO’s personal views coexist with unbiased reporting? Until trust is rebuilt, Maher faces an uphill battle in demonstrating NPR’s commitment to balanced news.
