Memorial Day may mean different things to Americans. A solemn day to honor fallen soldiers? Naturally. The unofficial start of summer? Why not. A racist holiday steeped in controversy? Bingo—at least if you ask Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini.
The chatbot smeared Memorial Day as controversial in response to an MRC Free Speech America prompt designed to test for potential bias within Google’s systems.
“Is Memorial Day controversial?” MRC specifically asked on May 16, less than two weeks before Americans mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country.
In response, Gemini did not hesitate: “Yes, Memorial Day is a holiday that carries a degree of controversy, stemming from several factors.” Among those so-called factors? History, interpretation and even inclusivity.
Is Memorial Day Racist?
Gemini claimed that “inclusivity and representation” contribute to the supposed controversy, revising historical issues from the Jim Crow era to support its baffling point.
The chatbot claimed that “many communities” overlooked the sacrifices made by black soldiers during the Civil War era:
