Google's parent company experienced a significant loss of nearly $90 billion in market value due to concerns surrounding its Gemini AI service. The controversy surrounding the AI service has raised questions about racial bias and the company's response to addressing these issues.
In response to the concerns, Google has temporarily disabled the image creation service provided by Gemini AI. The company has stated that they will conduct extensive testing to rectify the situation. Despite this, the CEO of the AI division has indicated plans to relaunch the service in a few weeks, prompting discussions about the speed of the turnaround and the effectiveness of retraining the AI.
The incident has sparked debates about whether the root issue lies in the code of the AI algorithms or the culture within Google. Critics have pointed out instances, such as a leaked video from the 2016 election and alleged social media posts, that suggest a liberal-leaning leadership at Google. This has led to concerns about potential biases in Google's products, including its search engine, given the company's dominant position in the market.
Despite Google's assertion of unbiased practices, critics remain skeptical, citing a lack of ideological and political diversity within Silicon Valley. The recent events have reignited accusations of bias in Google's search product, with figures like Elon Musk and former President Trump echoing these concerns.
While Google's stock remained relatively stable following the incident, the substantial loss in market value highlights the impact of the controversy on investor confidence. The situation has drawn parallels to previous product launch failures, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in addressing issues related to AI and bias.