Google Removes Gemma Models From AI Studio After GOP Senator's Complaint

Google has temporarily removed its open Gemma AI model from AI Studio. This action follows a letter from Senator Marsha Blackburn claiming Gemma fabricated false accusations of sexual misconduct against her. Blackburn's letter, sent to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, linked this incident to broader concerns about AI models defaming conservatives. Google previously acknowledged that AI hallucinations, or generating false information, are a known and widespread issue within generative AI. While no AI firm has completely eliminated these hallucinations, Google's Gemini for Home has shown a tendency for them in testing. Senator Blackburn stated she learned of Gemma's false claims after a congressional hearing. Specifically, when asked about rape accusations, Gemma allegedly fabricated a story involving a state trooper and non-consensual acts. Blackburn also expressed surprise at the AI generating fake news article links, a common characteristic of AI hallucinations. The AI Studio platform, where Gemma was accessible, includes tools that can be used to influence model behavior, potentially increasing falsehood generation. The incident suggests a user may have prompted Gemma with a leading question, leading to the fabricated response.