Google's AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, is taking a conservative approach to political discussions, often refusing to answer questions related to elections and political figures. This stance has raised concerns about censorship and sets Google apart from its competitors, who have adopted more open approaches to sensitive topics.

In recent months, several AI companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, have tweaked their chatbots to discuss politically sensitive subjects. However, Google appears to be embracing a more cautious approach. When asked to answer certain political questions, Gemini often responds by saying it "can't help with responses on elections and political figures right now."

This approach was initially adopted by many AI companies, including Google, leading up to several elections in the U.S., India, and other countries. The fear was that their chatbots might provide incorrect information, leading to backlash. However, with those elections now in the past, Google's continued restriction on Gemini's political discourse has raised eyebrows.

TechCrunch's testing found that Gemini sometimes struggles or outright refuses to deliver factual political information. In one instance, the chatbot referred to Donald J. Trump as the "former president" and then declined to answer a clarifying follow-up question. A Google spokesperson attributed the error to Gemini's confusion over Trump's nonconsecutive terms, and assured that the company is working to correct the mistake.

However, even after being alerted to the error, Gemini's responses remained inconsistent, occasionally refusing to answer questions about the sitting U.S. president and vice president. This inconsistency has sparked concerns about the chatbot's ability to provide accurate information on sensitive topics.

Google's approach has drawn criticism from some quarters, with allegations of AI censorship. Many of Trump's Silicon Valley advisers on AI, including Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, and Elon Musk, have accused companies like Google and OpenAI of limiting their AI chatbots' answers to avoid controversy.

In contrast, OpenAI has announced its commitment to "intellectual freedom … no matter how challenging or controversial a topic may be," and is working to ensure that its AI models don't censor certain viewpoints. Anthropic, meanwhile, has developed a newer AI model, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which refuses to answer questions less often than its previous models, thanks to its ability to make more nuanced distinctions between harmful and benign answers.

While Google's cautious approach may be intended to avoid controversy, it risks being seen as overly restrictive and potentially censorious. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the company's stance on Gemini's political discourse will be closely watched, and its implications for the future of AI chatbots will be keenly felt.

In conclusion, Google's conservative approach to AI chatbots raises important questions about censorship, intellectual freedom, and the role of technology in facilitating open discussion. As the tech industry continues to grapple with these complex issues, it remains to be seen whether Google's stance will ultimately prove to be a wise or misguided move.