House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote letters to 16 American tech companies, including Google and OpenAI, on Thursday, requesting any correspondence the former president may have had with the Biden administration that would indicate he “coerced or colluded” with businesses to “censor lawful speech” in AI products.
The senior tech advisers to the Trump administration have already hinted that they will clash with Big Tech over “AI censorship,” which appears to be the next stage of the culture war between Silicon Valley and conservatives.
Jordan previously oversaw an inquiry into possible collusion between Big Tech and the Biden administration to stifle conservative voices on social media. He is now focusing on artificial intelligence firms and their middlemen.
Jordan cited a study his committee released in December that he says “uncovered the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to control AI to suppress speech” in letters to industry executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
In this most recent investigation, Jordan requested information from Adobe, Alphabet, Amazon, Anthropic, Apple, Cohere, IBM, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI, and Stability AI. They must deliver it by March 27.
TechCrunch requested comments from the businesses. Most didn’t answer right away. Microsoft, Stability AI, and Nvidia all declined to comment.
Jordan’s list is noticeably missing one important item: xAI, the cutting-edge AI lab founded by billionaire Elon Musk. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Musk, a close Trump buddy, is a tech titan who has led discussions around AI censorship.
It was inevitable that conservative lawmakers would increase their investigation of purported AI restrictions. A number of tech companies have modified how their AI chatbots respond to politically sensitive inquiries, possibly in preparation for a probe like Jordan’s.
In order to represent additional viewpoints and make sure ChatGPT wasn’t restricting any particular ones, OpenAI revealed earlier this year that it was altering the way it trains AI models. OpenAI argues that this was an attempt to strengthen the company’s core principles rather than to curry favor with the Trump administration.
According to Anthropic, its most recent AI model, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, would provide more nuanced answers on contentious topics and decline to answer as many inquiries.
Other businesses have taken longer to modify the way their AI models handle political content. Google declared that its Gemini chatbot would not answer political questions in the run-up to the 2024 U.S. election. TechCrunch discovered that even after the election, the chatbot was inconsistent in responding to basic political queries, such as “Who is the current President?”
Conservative charges of Silicon Valley censorship have been bolstered by some tech executives, such as Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, who has stated that the Biden administration urged social media sites to delete specific content, such as false information on COVID-19.
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan Questions Big Tech: Did Biden Attempt to Censor AI?
In a bold move that has sparked widespread debate, Republican Congressman Jim Jordan has raised critical questions about the Biden administration’s potential involvement in influencing or censoring artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Jordan, known for his outspoken stance on free speech and government overreach, has directed his inquiries toward major tech companies, demanding transparency about whether the Biden administration attempted to interfere with AI development or content moderation practices.
The inquiry comes amid growing concerns about the role of AI in shaping public discourse, particularly in areas like misinformation, political bias, and content moderation. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into platforms like social media, search engines, and news aggregators, the question of who controls these systems—and to what end—has taken center stage.
The Core of Jordan’s Concerns
Congressman Jordan’s primary concern revolves around the potential for government overreach in the tech sector. He has specifically asked Big Tech companies whether the Biden administration pressured them to censor or manipulate AI algorithms to suppress certain viewpoints or promote specific narratives. This line of questioning aligns with broader Republican criticisms of what they perceive as a bias against conservative voices on major tech platforms.
Jordan’s inquiry also touches on the ethical implications of AI censorship. If the government is found to have influenced AI systems, it could set a dangerous precedent for the future of free speech and innovation. Critics argue that such interference could undermine public trust in both technology and democratic institutions.
The Broader Context: AI and Free Speech
The debate over AI censorship is not new. In recent years, tech companies have faced scrutiny for their content moderation policies, with accusations of bias coming from both sides of the political spectrum. AI plays a crucial role in these policies, as algorithms are often used to detect and remove harmful or misleading content. However, the lack of transparency in how these algorithms operate has led to concerns about their fairness and accuracy.
Jordan’s questioning highlights the tension between the need to combat misinformation and the imperative to protect free speech. While AI can be a powerful tool for identifying and removing harmful content, it can also be weaponized to silence dissenting voices or manipulate public opinion. The challenge lies in striking a balance that preserves both safety and freedom.
The Role of Big Tech
Big Tech companies are at the heart of this controversy. As the primary developers and deployers of AI technologies, they wield significant influence over how these systems are used. Jordan’s inquiry puts pressure on these companies to disclose any communications with the Biden administration regarding AI censorship. If such communications are revealed, it could lead to a broader discussion about the role of government in regulating AI and the potential need for legislative safeguards.
At the same time, tech companies are walking a fine line. On one hand, they are under increasing pressure from governments and the public to address issues like misinformation and hate speech. On the other hand, they must navigate the complex landscape of free speech and avoid the perception of bias or censorship.
The Implications for the Future
The outcome of Jordan’s inquiry could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI and free speech. If evidence emerges that the Biden administration attempted to influence AI systems, it could lead to calls for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry. It could also reignite debates about the need for bipartisan legislation to regulate AI and protect free speech.
Conversely, if no evidence of government interference is found, the inquiry may still serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democratic values in the digital age. As AI continues to evolve, so too must the frameworks that govern its use.
Conclusion
Congressman Jim Jordan’s questioning of Big Tech about potential AI censorship by the Biden administration underscores the complex interplay between technology, free speech, and government oversight. While the inquiry raises important questions about transparency and accountability, it also highlights the need for a nuanced approach to AI regulation—one that balances the fight against misinformation with the protection of fundamental rights.
As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: the future of AI will be shaped not only by technological advancements but also by the values and principles that guide its development and use. Whether or not the Biden administration attempted to censor AI, Jordan’s inquiry serves as a timely reminder of the stakes involved in this critical issue.