Google Ordered to Face AI Defamation Lawsuit

A Delaware Superior Court judge ruled that Google must face a defamation lawsuit brought by conservative activist Robby Starbuck over false statements generated by its Bard AI product, the predecessor of Gemini. Judge Meghan A. Adams said the case opens "a new frontier for defamation law" but initially hinges on ordinary defamation precedents. The ruling could hold Google liable for Bard results that falsely accused Starbuck of sexual assault, linked him to white supremacist Richard Spencer, and advocated for his execution.

A Delaware Superior Court judge let the conservative activist Robby Starbuck move forward with claims that the tech giant’s Bard AI product — a predecessor of its current Gemini model — defamed him. The ruling could leave Google on the hook for Bard results that allegedly spread false sexual assault accusations, incorrectly linked Starbuck to the “notorious white supremacist” Richard Spencer, and offered arguments in favor of his execution. Judge Meghan A. Adams said in a 36-page ruling that the dispute opened “a new frontier for defamation law, in which artificial intelligence tools are allegedly employed to effectuate the defamatory ends of their makers.” But while the case may ultimately “force the court to take a deep dive into those novel issues,” the initial stages hinge only ordinary defamation precedents, Adams said. Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading: See Breaking News in Context Bloomberg Law provides trusted coverage of current events enhanced with legal analysis. Already a subscriber? Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.