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AI Chatbots Struggle with Real-Time Political News: Are They Ready to Monitor Elections?

AI chatbots face challenges in keeping up with breaking political news, highlighting the need for caution and reliance on trusted sources.

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AI chatbots and breaking news

TL;DR:

  • AI chatbots struggled to keep up with breaking political news, such as Biden’s withdrawal and the Trump rally shooting.
  • Companies like Microsoft and Google are cautious about AI’s role in elections, redirecting users to authoritative sources.
  • Experts advise relying on mainstream media for accurate and up-to-date political information.

In the dynamic world of politics, every second counts, and breaking news can change the landscape in an instant. But how well are AI chatbots, touted as the future of information access, handling these real-time updates? Recent events, from President Biden’s withdrawal announcement to the Trump rally shooting, have put AI chatbots to the test, revealing significant challenges in their ability to keep up with consequential news.

AI Chatbots Lag Behind Breaking News

In the hour following President Biden’s announcement that he would withdraw from the 2024 campaign, most popular AI chatbots seemed unaware of the news. When asked directly if Biden had dropped out, almost all chatbots either said no or declined to give an answer. Even when asked who was running for president, they still listed Biden’s name. This lag in real-time updates highlights a critical limitation of AI chatbots in the fast-paced world of politics.

The Challenge of Real-Time Updates

Over the past week, we tested AI chatbots’ ability to handle breaking political stories. The results were disappointing. Most chatbots did not have current information, gave incorrect answers, or declined to answer, directing users to check news sources instead. This trend is particularly concerning with the presidential election approaching and a steady stream of political news breaking.

AI Chatbots and the 2024 Election

With just months left until the presidential election, AI chatbots are distancing themselves from politics and breaking news. Companies that make chatbots don’t appear ready for their AI to play a larger role in how people follow this election. This cautious approach is evident in how chatbots handle sensitive political topics.

Case Studies: Trump Rally Shooting and Biden’s COVID Diagnosis

Hours after the July 13 shooting at former president Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pa., some popular AI bots were confused about what had happened. ChatGPT labeled rumors of an assassination attempt as misinformation, while Meta AI claimed it didn’t have recent or credible information about the incident.

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Similarly, chatbots struggled immediately after Trump named J.D. Vance as his running mate and when President Biden tested positive for the coronavirus. These examples underscore the difficulty AI chatbots face in providing accurate and timely information during rapidly evolving events.

The Importance of Sourcing and Citations

Chatbots are designed to give conversational answers and keep people engaged. However, names and links to sources for answers range from nonexistent to hidden. Even when AI includes a source, it adds it after the fact, according to Jevin West, a professor and co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington.

West emphasized the need for the public to rely on mainstream media for accurate and up-to-date information. “The public needs to know we’re in a stage still where most of the citations and sourcing are post-hoc and going to lead to problems,” he said.

How Different Chatbots Handle Breaking News

Microsoft’s Copilot

Microsoft’s Copilot tended to have the correct information fastest in our tests, with heavy linking to original sources. However, the company is being cautious about politics and putting in guardrails ahead of the election.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we’re redirecting election-related prompts in Copilot to Bing search to help ensure users are getting information from the most authoritative sources,” said Microsoft spokesperson Donny Turnbaugh.

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Google’s Gemini

Google’s AI Overview answers don’t typically show up for questions about breaking news. Instead, the site skips straight to showing its usual Google News links. However, Gemini, its separate AI chatbot, was sometimes able to answer news questions in tests. Gemini does not yet include links to its sources.

The company announced late last year that it would restrict some election-related queries on its AI tools. If you ask Gemini about politics, it says, “I can’t help with responses on elections and political figures right now” and links users to Google search. Google said it’s working on improving the experience as it gets more feedback.

Perplexity

Perplexity is another AI chatbot with access to real-time information, and it has come under fire for how it pulls from real articles and reporting. It is not blocking or redirecting political inquiries, but the company says it’s prioritizing authoritative sources such as government websites for election-related questions.

In our tests, when asked “Was Trump shot?” hours after the July 13 rally, Perplexity said that “there are no reports of Trump or anyone else being shot or injured.” It did include other accurate information about the incident with links to sources. By later in the day, it was answering correctly.

Asked on Sunday who is running for president, Perplexity listed Biden. Perplexity includes disclaimers in some answers that are incorrect, such as when it said on Wednesday that Biden did not have covid: “It’s important to note that the current health of public figures can change rapidly.”

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“For breaking news, we recommend reading trusted news outlets. They are best-equipped to offer real-time updates on timely topics since they are actively reporting on the news,” said Sara Platnick, spokesperson at Perplexity. She noted that less than 3 percent of Perplexity’s searches are related to current events.

Meta AI

Meta AI — which appears in Messenger, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — seemed to have the most stringent limits on political news. Asked about Trump’s running mate, it generated an accurate answer that named Vance, but then quickly deleted and replaced it with a message that said “Thanks for asking” and linked to voting information. The company has been open about distancing itself from news on its platforms.

Asked about Meta AI’s approach to breaking news, the company directed us to blog posts announcing the tool that mention only non-news uses. However, if you ask Meta AI what you should use it for, it includes asking for news updates.

The Future of AI in Politics

As AI chatbots continue to evolve, their role in politics and breaking news remains uncertain. While they offer the promise of instant information, their current limitations highlight the need for caution and the importance of relying on trusted sources for critical updates.

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What do you think about the future of AI chatbots in politics? Will they ever be able to keep up with breaking news? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates on AI and AGI developments.

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OpenAI’s New ChatGPT Image Policy: Is AI Moderation Becoming Too Lax?

ChatGPT now generates previously banned images of public figures and symbols. Is this freedom overdue or dangerously permissive?

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OpenAI moderation policy

TL;DR – What You Need to Know in 30 Seconds

  • ChatGPT can now generate images of public figures, previously disallowed.
  • Requests related to physical and racial traits are now accepted.
  • Controversial symbols are permitted in strictly educational contexts.
  • OpenAI argues for nuanced moderation rather than blanket censorship.
  • Move aligns with industry trends towards relaxed content moderation policies.

Is AI Moderation Becoming Too Lax?

ChatGPT just got a visual upgrade—generating whimsical Studio Ghibli-style images that quickly became an internet sensation. But look beyond these charming animations, and you’ll see something far more controversial: OpenAI has significantly eased its moderation policies, allowing users to generate images previously considered taboo. So, is this a timely move towards creative freedom or a risky step into a moderation minefield?

ChatGPT’s new visual prowess

OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-4o, introduces impressive image-generation capabilities directly inside ChatGPT. With advanced photo editing, sharper text rendering, and improved spatial representation, ChatGPT now rivals specialised image AI tools.

But the buzz isn’t just about cartoonish visuals; it’s about OpenAI’s major shift on sensitive content moderation.

Moving beyond blanket bans

Previously, if you asked ChatGPT to generate an image featuring public figures—say Donald Trump or Elon Musk—it would simply refuse. Similarly, requests for hateful symbols or modifications highlighting racial characteristics (like “make this person’s eyes look more Asian”) were strictly off-limits.

No longer. Joanne Jang, OpenAI’s model behaviour lead, explained the shift clearly:

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“We’re shifting from blanket refusals in sensitive areas to a more precise approach focused on preventing real-world harm. The goal is to embrace humility—recognising how much we don’t know, and positioning ourselves to adapt as we learn.”

In short, fewer instant rejections, more nuanced responses.

Exactly what’s allowed now?

With this update, ChatGPT can now depict public figures upon request, moving away from selectively policing celebrity imagery. OpenAI will allow individuals to opt-out if they don’t want AI-generated images of themselves—shifting control back to users.

Controversially, ChatGPT also now accepts previously prohibited requests related to sensitive physical traits, like ethnicity or body shape adjustments, sparking fresh debate around ethical AI usage.

Handling the hottest topics

OpenAI is cautiously permitting requests involving controversial symbols—like swastikas—but only in neutral or educational contexts, never endorsing harmful ideologies. GPT-4o also continues to enforce stringent protections, especially around images involving children, setting even tighter standards than its predecessor, DALL-E 3.

Yet, loosening moderation around sensitive imagery has inevitably reignited fierce debates over censorship, freedom of speech, and AI’s ethical responsibilities.

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A strategic shift or political move?

OpenAI maintains these changes are non-political, emphasising instead their longstanding commitment to user autonomy. But the timing is provocative, coinciding with increasing regulatory pressure and scrutiny from politicians like Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, who recently challenged tech companies about perceived biases in AI moderation.

This relaxation of restrictions echoes similar moves by other tech giants—Meta and X have also dialled back content moderation after facing similar criticisms. AI image moderation, however, poses unique risks due to its potential for widespread misinformation and cultural distortion, as Google’s recent controversy over historically inaccurate Gemini images has demonstrated.

What’s next for AI moderation?

ChatGPT’s new creative freedom has delighted users, but the wider implications remain uncertain. While memes featuring beloved animation styles flood social media, this same freedom could enable the rapid spread of less harmless imagery. OpenAI’s balancing act could quickly draw regulatory attention—particularly under the Trump administration’s more critical stance towards tech censorship.

The big question now: Where exactly do we draw the line between creative freedom and responsible moderation?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Tencent Joins China’s AI Race with New T1 Reasoning Model Launch

Tencent launches its powerful new T1 reasoning model amid growing AI competition in China, while startup Manus gains major regulatory and media support.

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Tencent T1 reasoning model

TL;DR – What You Need to Know in 30 Seconds

  • Tencent has launched its upgraded T1 reasoning model
  • Competition heats up in China’s AI market
  • Beijing spotlights Manus
  • Manus partners with Alibaba’s Qwen AI team

The Tencent T1 Reasoning Model Has Launched

Tencent has officially launched the upgraded version of its T1 reasoning model, intensifying competition within China’s already bustling artificial intelligence sector. Announced on Friday (21 March), the T1 reasoning model promises significant enhancements over its preview edition, including faster responses and improved processing of lengthy texts.

In a WeChat announcement, Tencent highlighted T1’s strengths, noting it “keeps the content logic clear and the text neat,” while maintaining an “extremely low hallucination rate,” referring to the AI’s tendency to generate accurate, reliable outputs without inventing false information.

The Turbo S Advantage

The T1 model is built on Tencent’s own Turbo S foundational language technology, introduced last month. According to Tencent, Turbo S notably outpaces competitor DeepSeek’s R1 model when processing queries, a claim backed up by benchmarks Tencent shared in its announcement. These tests showed T1 leading in several key knowledge and reasoning categories.

Tencent’s latest launch comes amid heightened rivalry sparked largely by DeepSeek, a Chinese startup whose powerful yet affordable AI models recently stunned global tech markets. DeepSeek’s success has spurred local companies like Tencent into accelerating their own AI investments.

Beijing Spotlights Rising AI Star Manus

The race isn’t limited to tech giants. Manus, a homegrown AI startup, also received a major boost from Chinese authorities this week. On Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV featured Manus for the first time, comparing its advanced AI agent technology favourably against more traditional chatbot models.

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Manus became a sensation globally after unveiling what it claims to be the world’s first truly general-purpose AI agent, capable of independently making decisions and executing tasks with minimal prompting. This autonomy differentiates it sharply from existing chatbots such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek.

Crucially, Manus has now cleared significant regulatory hurdles. Beijing’s municipal authorities confirmed that a China-specific version of Manus’ AI assistant, Monica, is fully registered and compliant with the country’s strict generative AI guidelines, a necessary step before public release.

Further strengthening its domestic foothold, Manus recently announced a strategic partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen AI team, a collaboration likely to accelerate the rollout of Manus’ agent technology across China. Currently, Manus’ agent is accessible only via invite codes, with an eager waiting list already surpassing two million.

The Race Has Only Just Begun

With Tencent’s T1 now officially in play and Manus gaining momentum, China’s AI competition is clearly heating up, promising exciting innovations ahead. As tech giants and ambitious startups alike push boundaries, China’s AI landscape is becoming increasingly dynamic—leaving tech enthusiasts and investors eagerly watching to see who’ll take the lead next.

What do YOU think?

Could China’s AI startups like Manus soon disrupt Silicon Valley’s dominance, or will giants like Tencent keep the competition at bay?

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Google’s Gemini AI is Coming to Your Chrome Browser — Here’s the Inside Scoop

Google is integrating Gemini AI into Chrome browser through a new experimental feature called Gemini Live in Chrome (GLIC). Here’s everything you need to know.

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Gemini AI Chrome

TL;DR – What You Need to Know in 30 Seconds

  • Google is integrating Gemini AI into its Chrome browser via an experimental feature called Gemini Live in Chrome (GLIC).
  • GLIC adds a clickable Gemini icon next to Chrome’s window controls, opening a floating AI assistant modal.
  • Currently being tested in Chrome Canary, the feature aims to streamline AI interactions without leaving the browser.

Welcoming Google’s Gemini AI to Your Chrome Browser

If there’s one thing tech giants love more than AI right now, it’s finding new ways to shove that AI into everything we use. And Google—never one to be left behind—is apparently stepping up their game by sliding their Gemini AI directly into your beloved Chrome browser. Yep, that’s the buzz on the digital street!

This latest AI adventure popped up thanks to eagle-eyed folks at Windows Latest, who spotted intriguing code snippets hidden in Google’s Chrome Canary version. Canary, if you haven’t played with it before, is Google’s playground version of Chrome. It’s the spot where they test all their wild and wonderful experimental features, and it looks like Gemini’s next up on stage.

Say Hello to GLIC: Gemini Live in Chrome

They’re calling this new integration “GLIC,” which stands for “Gemini Live in Chrome.” (Yes, tech companies never resist a snappy acronym, do they?) According to the early glimpses from Canary, GLIC isn’t quite ready for primetime yet—no shock there—but the outlines are pretty clear.

Once activated, GLIC introduces a nifty Gemini icon neatly tucked up beside your usual minimise, maximise, and close window buttons. Click it, and a floating Gemini assistant modal pops open, ready and waiting for your prompts, questions, or random curiosities.

Prefer a less conspicuous spot? Google’s thought of that too—GLIC can also nestle comfortably in your system tray, offering quick access to Gemini without cluttering your browser interface.

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Why Gemini in Chrome Actually Makes Sense

Having Gemini hanging out front and centre in Chrome feels like a smart move—especially when you’re knee-deep in tabs and need quick answers or creative inspiration on the fly. No more toggling between browser tabs or separate apps; your AI assistant is literally at your fingertips.

But let’s keep expectations realistic here—this is still Canary we’re talking about. Features here often need plenty of polish and tweaking before making it to the stable Chrome we all rely on. But the potential? Definitely exciting.

What’s Next?

For now, we’ll keep a close eye on GLIC’s developments. Will Gemini revolutionise how we interact with Chrome, or will it end up another quirky experiment? Either way, Google’s bet on AI is clearly ramping up, and we’re here for it. Don’t forget to sign up to our occasional newsletter to stay informed about this and other happenings around AI in Asia and beyond.

Stay tuned—we’ll share updates as soon as Google lifts the curtains a bit further.

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