Meta has engaged Robby Starbuck, a conservative influencer, to advise its developers on mitigating political bias in AI tools, a move following a settlement after Starbuck sued Meta for $5 million, alleging its AI chatbot falsely claimed his presence at the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Starbuck, who is not an expert in AI development or training, will guide Meta’s approach to ensure AI tools are free of what Meta terms “ideological bias.” Meta’s stated position is that removing “DEI bias” enhances the accuracy of its models. This advisory role is a component of the agreement reached between Meta and Starbuck, stemming from his lawsuit concerning the AI chatbot’s alleged false statement.
Starbuck articulated his objective in an interview with CNBC, stating, “We don’t want a future where you’ve got AI putting the thumb on the scale when it comes to politics,” and described his goal as achieving “ethical” and “neutral” AI. He has previously provided counsel to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its head, Brendan Carr, regarding the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and equal opportunity initiatives within the telecommunications sector. This strategy included proposals to withhold FCC approvals for companies that did not comply with specific mandates from the Trump administration.
The collaboration between Meta and Starbuck aligns with recent broader political discourse in the United States. President Trump announced a new federal AI Action Plan and an executive order targeting what conservative circles have labeled “Woke AI.” This term refers to Large Language Models perceived to exhibit ideological or political “bias” by promoting liberal beliefs, particularly those associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This governmental action has been viewed by some as a concession to leaders within the technology industry, many of whom have provided funding to and now advise the Trump administration.
Starbuck, a former music video director, has established himself as a prominent figure among conservative social media influencers. He has gained recognition through videos that challenge companies with diversity initiatives, often mobilizing his followers to initiate boycotts or exert pressure to compel these companies to remove DEI policies. Consistent with other conservative influencers, Starbuck has shared comments regarding gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, referred to liberal commentators as “mentally challenged” and “lunatics,” and characterized DEI policies as a “war on men.” He also serves as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank recognized for its involvement in crafting the Project 2025 movement.
Prior to the president’s extensive anti-DEI orders, Meta had already rescinded its DEI mandates and associated policies. These included protections previously established for LGBTQ communities, women, and people of color. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta, has progressively redirected the company’s policies and priorities towards a conservative stance, citing “free speech” as a rationale. This shift echoes sentiments prevalent within the current administration. As part of this realignment, Zuckerberg made a $1 million donation to the Trump campaign in Meta’s name.
“Since engaging on these important issues with Robby, Meta has made tremendous strides to improve the accuracy of Meta AI and mitigate ideological and political bias,” Meta stated in an official company communication.
