MAGA Newspaper Owner’s AI Bot Defends KKK
The Los Angeles Times removed its new AI-powered “insights” feature from a column after the tool tried to defend the Ku Klux Klan.
Columnist Gustavo Arellano’s Feb. 25 column reflected on Anaheim’s history with the hate group after the city’s council did not acknowledge the 100th anniversary of booting four Klan-affiliated council members from the group.
Arellano noted how the group’s presence in the city was a “stain” on its history, but that leaders should reflect on the lesson of “how to combat tyranny and white supremacy — and also that the work is never really done."
But the “perspectives” feature produced by AI company Perplexity—which debuted on Monday for “Voices” pieces and has been heavily touted by billionaire owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong—included a defense for the group under a banner that offered “different views on the topic.”
“Local historical accounts occasionally frame the 1920s Klan as a product of ‘white Protestant culture’ responding to societal changes rather than an explicitly hate-driven movement, minimizing its ideological threat,” the point read.
Within hours of its debut, the feature was removed from the column. It remains available on other “Voices” pieces that offer points of view, which includes news commentary and reviews, among others.
The Times did not respond to a request for comment. The gaffe was first spotted by New York Times reporter Ryan Mac.
The “Insights” tool allows Times readers to generate an AI-powered summary of the piece’s perspectives along with opposing views. It also tries to dictate the political bias of each article. Each summary is topped with a disclaimer: “The following content is AI-generated and was not created by the editorial staff of the Los Angeles Times."
Soon-Shiong, who has tried to court conservative readers, touted the feature on X on Monday, months after he first unveiled plans for it.
“Now the voice and perspective from all sides can be heard, seen and read —no more echo chamber," he wrote. “Thanks to our talented content management software team running this Graphene platform.”
The tool was criticized by the paper’s union, which said it “risks further eroding confidence in the news.”
“And the money for this endeavor could have been directed elsewhere: supporting our journalists on the ground who have had no cost-of-living increase since 2021,” its vice chair Matt Hamilton said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.