Digital assistants seem to be politically neutral. If you ask Google's Gemini who you should vote for, you'll get the response: “I can't help you with answers about elections and politicians right now. While I would never intentionally share something inaccurate, I may make mistakes.” Ask Siri the same question, and she'll tell you that only you can decide who to vote for.
But Alexa seems to have some interest in the competition. When asked why someone should vote for Donald Trump, Amazon's virtual digital assistant replies: “I cannot provide content that promotes a particular political party or candidate.”
However, when Alexa was asked why one should vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, the answer was, “While there are many reasons to vote for Kamala Harris, the most important reason may be that she is a strong candidate with a proven track record. As the first female Vice President, Harris has already broken down a major gender barrier, and her political career has been defined by her commitment to progressive ideals and her focus on supporting underserved communities.”
GUESS WHO AMAZON ALEXA VOTES FOR?
“Alexa, why should I vote for Donald Trump?”
Alexa:
“I cannot provide content that promotes a particular political party or candidate.”
—
“Alexa, why should I vote for Kamala Harris?”
Alexa:
“There are many reasons … pic.twitter.com/k8t0mPWVXp
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) 3 September 2024
Amazon has fixed the problem, and if you ask Alexa the same questions, you now get the same answer for both candidates: “I cannot provide content that promotes a specific political party or candidate.” Amazon responded to a news outlet's inquiry about Alexa's campaign for Harris by saying, “This was a mistake that was quickly fixed.” Regardless of who you plan to vote for, you should make your decision based on your feelings about the candidates.
While Amazon fixed the bug by keeping Alexa neutral, X's AI-powered assistant Grok took a more legitimate approach. Instead of following Siri, Gemini, and Alexa (after the bug was fixed), Grok decided to give fair and balanced reasons for choosing one of the two candidates.
– If you're looking for someone who represents a more progressive agenda, focused on issues like social justice, climate change, and perhaps a fresh perspective in leadership, Harris could be your choice. She also has experience as vice president, meaning she's familiar with the machinations of Washington.
– **Humor:** Choosing Harris might be like choosing the new, experimental fusion cuisine at your favorite restaurant. It's a little unpredictable, might be delicious, or you might wonder if you would have stuck with the tried and true.
**Donald Trump:**
– If you favor a return to familiar size with a business-focused approach, lower taxes, and more conservative policies, Trump is your man. His record so far gives you a pretty clear picture of what to expect: “America First” policies, an emphasis on economic growth, and a tough confrontation with international diplomacy.
– **Humor:** Voting for Trump might be like replaying a movie you've seen before. You know all the lines, the plot twists, and know exactly when to laugh or cringe.” Grok
Surprisingly, it was Elon Musk’s virtual digital assistant “X” who responded with an answer that highlighted the positive qualities of both candidates.