Scott Wiener pulls AI chatbot parody of rival Connie Chan after backlash | Latest Tech News
California state Sen. Scott Wiener is pulling the plug on a controversial AI chatbot and the billboards selling it after his marketing campaign confronted a livid backlash over the parody focusing on his congressional rival Connie Chan.
Wiener, who is working to change former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco’s eleventh Congressional District, announced Friday his marketing campaign would take away ConnieChan.ai, along with the advertisements directing voters to it.
The chatbot was created as a marketing campaign assault on Chan, portraying what Wiener said was her document on housing, public transportation and other points.
Scott Wiener is working to change former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco’s eleventh Congressional District. Bloomberg via Getty Images
But the stunt shortly turned a political headache, with Pelosi and a coalition of Democratic politicians and organizations condemning the use of artificial intelligence to imitate Chan.
Wiener said his marketing campaign had meant the chatbot to be an unconventional approach of drawing consideration to what he characterised as Chan’s document of “delay and obstruction.”
“My campaign created ConnieChan.ai as a parody to draw attention to my opponent’s record of delay and obstruction around housing, public transit, and other critical needs,” Wiener said in a assertion.
Sen. Wiener announced Friday his marketing campaign would take away ConnieChan.ai, along with the advertisements directing voters to it. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Wiener said the chatbot was an unconventional approach of drawing consideration to Chan’s document of “delay and obstruction.” San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
“Today, we are taking down the chatbot, and the billboards that promoted it will come down soon.”
The senator acknowledged that the marketing campaign tactic had backfired, saying the controversy had overshadowed the problems he wished voters to focus on.
“But our use of an AI chatbot clearly missed the mark,” Wiener said. “The conversation became about the tactic instead of the issues that actually matter to San Franciscans — housing and health care they can afford, transit that works, schools that serve every kid, and a downtown that comes back stronger.”
The reversal got here after Pelosi and other distinguished Democrats piled on.
In a joint assertion attributed to Pelosi, members of Congress, San Francisco supervisors and local Democratic teams objected to AI getting used to put phrases into a feminine candidate’s mouth.
“Women have spent generations fighting to have our own voices heard in the halls of power. We should not have to now fight against artificial intelligence putting words in our mouths.”
Wiener later apologized to people who have been offended, while noting that some supporters had favored the idea. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
The group called the chatbot “a gross misuse of technology,” arguing that utilizing AI to fabricate a girl’s voice for political ridicule may reinforce sexist stereotypes and undermine girls in public life.
The coalition also warned that AI-generated impersonations may injury public trust and urged political candidates not to use the technology to strip girls of their identification or company for electoral gain.
Chan’s marketing campaign delivered its own broadside.
“Scott Wiener can rightly take down his bigotry bot, but he can’t erase the concerns it raised among San Franciscans about his character and judgment,” Connie Chan spokesperson Ian Krager said in a assertion to KRON4.
“San Franciscans deserve better than a marketing campaign funded by Big AI weaponizing the technology to mock an immigrant girl of colour, doubling down after justified outrage, then reversing course and shrugging it off as merely ‘missing the mark.’
“Connie Chan will keep her campaign focused on fighting for working families, affordable housing, reliable transit, and responsible AI — without turning San Francisco voters into a political experiment.”
Pelosi has endorsed Chan to fill her seat representing California’s eleventh Congressional District. Getty Images
Wiener later apologized to people who have been offended, while noting that some supporters had favored the idea.
“I heard from many people who loved the idea, and I appreciate their support,” Wiener said. “But many others were offended, and I apologize for causing that offense.”
The conflict comes as Wiener and Chan head toward a November showdown for the seat Pelosi has held since 1987.
Wiener completed first in the June 2 major, with roughly 41% of the vote, while Chan got here in second, with about 30%, sending both candidates into the overall election runoff on November 3.
Download The California Post App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up right here!
California Post App: Download right here!
Home supply: Sign up right here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up right here!
Stay informed with the latest in tech! Our web site is your trusted source for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, gadget launches, software program updates, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
For recent insights, professional coverage, and trending tech updates, go to us repeatedly by clicking right here.
