In a modern twist on political campaigning, Amazon’s Alexa has found itself at the center of a controversy that underscores the challenges of perceived bias in technology. As the U.S. gears up for the 2024 presidential election, concerns have surfaced over Alexa’s responses when asked about voting for Kamala Harris compared to Donald Trump. This has sparked a debate on whether tech companies are subtly influencing public opinion.
When Alexa users asked, “Why should I vote for Donald Trump?” the assistant responded with a neutral, “I cannot provide content that promotes a specific political party or a specific candidate.” However, when the question was posed about Kamala Harris, Alexa offered a more detailed and favorable response. It described Harris as a “strong candidate with a proven track record of accomplishment,” noting her historic role as the first female vice president and her commitment to progressive ideals and disenfranchised communities.
This is insane.
Can more people replicate this? pic.twitter.com/gz7KH95LVg
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 3, 2024
I can confirm the same results.
I find it ironic that my dog’s ass was in the shot when Alexa when addressing Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/0wGvyt633N
— Diana (@Diana_1776) September 3, 2024
Amazon's Alexa gives a list of reasons to vote for Kamala, won't do it for Trump: pic.twitter.com/xdAfouSPUd
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 3, 2024
https://twitter.com/BobbyBlish/status/1830974401535451378
It is real. pic.twitter.com/jiYTE6k5iT
— William Bart (@WilliamHBart) September 3, 2024
This discrepancy in responses has not gone unnoticed. Social media platforms have been buzzing with users pointing out what they perceive as a clear bias towards Harris. Critics argue that this is part of a broader pattern where tech giants like Amazon might be leveraging their platforms to sway political sentiment, particularly as the election draws near.
The implications of such bias are significant. With polls showing a tight race between Harris and Trump, any perceived favoritism could potentially sway voter sentiment and impact turnout. As digital assistants become more integrated into daily life, their influence on public opinion grows, making the neutrality of these technologies increasingly critical.
Adding fuel to the fire, users discovered misleading information provided by Alexa regarding former President Trump. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the role of technology in politics and the responsibility of tech companies to maintain impartiality.
UPDATE:
Since this went viral, Amazon has “fixed” the problem. I tried it myself a few minutes ago, and it no longer says what it was saying earlier in the day about Kamala Harris.
There is a simple solution to Amazon’s Alexa bias answers. Throw the damn thing out in the trash and stop being too lazy to look up stuff online yourself.