Meta Appoints Conservative Activist Robby Starbuck as AI Bias Advisor Amid Controversy

Meta makes conservative activist an AI bias advisor following lawsuit

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck will serve as an advisor at Meta to address "ideological and political bias" within the company's AI chatbot, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as part of a settlement Meta reached with Starbuck, who filed a lawsuit claiming Meta AI wrongly stated he was involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. Starbuck has waged public pressure campaigns against companies that have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with companies like Tractor Supply, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson dropping their DEI efforts as a result. According to a lawsuit filed in April, Starbuck claims he discovered Meta AI's false output after a Harley-Davidson dealer published a screenshot from Meta's AI chatbot linking Starbuck to the Capitol riot and QAnon. Now, following President Donald Trump's executive order to make AI less "woke," Starbuck will advise Meta on bias. "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 and Starbuck said in a statement to the WSJ. During an interview with CNBC, Starbuck declined to say whether Meta paid him to resolve the lawsuit. "I'm one person, but this could cause a lot of problems across the entire industry when it comes to elections and political bias, and we wanted to be leaders in solving this problem," Starbuck said during the interview. Earlier this year, Meta paid $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over the suspensions of his accounts. Other people have attempted to file lawsuits alleging AI chatbot defamation. Conservative radio host Mark Walters filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in 2023, alleging that ChatGPT falsely stated that Walters was accused of embellishing funds from a non-profit organization. A judge granted summary judgment in favor of OpenAI and dismissed the defamation claim in May.

Meta hires far-right influencer to help end 'Woke AI'

Starbuck, known for his crusade against companies with DEI policies, has been brought into Meta's AI plans. Credit: Bess Adler / Bloomberg via Getty Images Meta is quickly becoming the forerunner in Big Tech's chorus against "Woke AI," as it announces a collaboration with known conservative influencer Robby Starbuck to ensure its AI tools are free of "ideological bias." Starbuck, to clarify, is not an expert in developing or training AI tools or LLMs. Instead -- as explained in an August 8 statement posted to the X accounts of Starbuck and Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joe Kaplan -- he will provide guidance to the company's developers on how to further "mitigate" political bias in AI tools. Meta's stance is that removing such "DEI bias" makes its models "more accurate." The advisory role is part of a deal struck in a settlement between Meta and Starbuck, who sued the company for $5 million, alleging the company's AI chatbot falsely claimed he was at the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. "We don't want a future where you've got AI putting the thumb on the scale when it comes to politics," Starbuck said in an interview with CNBC, explaining his goal was "ethical" and "neutral" AI. Starbuck has previously advised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and head Brendan Carr on eliminating DEI and equal opportunity initiatives in telecommunications, a strategy that includes withholding FCC approvals for companies that don't comply with the Trump administration's mandates. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The move comes after President Trump announced a new federal AI Action Plan and executive order targeting what conservatives have deemed "Woke AI," or Large Language Models with ideological or political "bias" that promote liberal beliefs, including the concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Many considered the move to be a capitulation to Big Tech's leaders, most of whom funded and now advise the Trump administration. Starbuck, a former music video director, has become a leading figure among conservative social media influencers, gaining popularity for videos that attack companies with diversity initiatives and galvanize his followers to boycott or pressure them to capitulate to right wing demands by removing DEI policies. Like many other conservative influencers, Starbuck often shares alarmist comments about gender affirming healthcare for trans youth, refers to liberal commentators as "mentally challenged" and "lunatics," and has declared DEI policies a "war on men." He's also a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind that crafted the controversial Project 2025 movement. Even before the president's sweeping anti-DEI orders, Meta had already struck down its DEI mandates and related policies, including protections for LGBTQ communities, women, and people of color. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has been gradually shifting the company's policies and priorities to the right in the name of "free speech" -- echoing the sentiments of the current administration -- including donating $1 million to the Trump campaign in the company'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," the company said in a statement.

Meta partners with conservative figure on AI bias issues

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. 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.

Meta settles with conservative activist over AI chatbot lawsuit

Meta Platforms settled a defamation lawsuit with Robby Starbuck, who claimed that Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) falsely accused him of participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. There is no publicly available information on the details of the settlement except that Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist opposed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, will work with Meta to remove "ideological and political bias" from the company's AI. "Both parties have resolved this matter to our mutual satisfaction. 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," a joint statement from Meta and Starbuck reads. "Building on that work, Meta and Robby Starbuck will work collaboratively in the coming months to continue to find ways to address issues of ideological and political bias and minimize the risk that the model returns hallucinations in response to user queries," he added. Meta did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. Starbuck on Friday told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that both himself and Meta saw that this problem could impact other users of the company's platforms. "That was always the point of my lawsuit -- is fix this for everybody so this doesn't become a massive, you know, really terrible story in the future where AI affects elections in ways that no one is comfortable with," he said. Starbuck dodged a question from host Andrew Ross Sorkin about the settlement, stating that he is still figuring out the details of the collaboration with the tech giant. "Delivering fairness for consumers is the outcome I've always wanted and I'm pleased to do the work to make that a reality," Starbuck wrote on social media. "As we move into a future where AI dominates many parts of our world, now you know that you have an unshakable voice at the table to advocate for ideological fairness." Starbuck filed the suit against Meta on April 29 and originally demanded more than $5 million from the company. On April 30, Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, apologized publicly over the matter. "Robby - I watched your video - this is unacceptable. This is clearly not how our AI should operate. We're sorry for the results it shared about you and that the fix we put in place didn't address the underlying problem," he posted on the social media platform X.

Shock move: Zuckerberg's Meta picks Robby Starbuck, anti-LGBTQ+ voice, as AI bias advisor - backlash erupts

Meta Platforms has ignited widespread controversy with its latest decision to appoint Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist known for his anti-LGBTQ+ opinions, as an advisor on AI bias. The move has sparked criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates,civil rights organizations, and technology commentators who question whether Starbuck's role undermines Meta's stated commitment to fairness and inclusivity. Starbuck gained national attention after filing a defamation lawsuit against Meta, alleging that its AI chatbot wrongly linked him in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The legal action, which sought $5 million in damages, got settled ultimately . As part of the agreement, Starbuck will now take a consultative position, providing guidance to Meta on political bias in the company's artificial intelligence systems. Meta cites that his involvement is intended to improve the neutrality and reliability of its AI models, though many remain skeptical. Robby Starbuck began his professional journey in entertainment as a music video director before transitioning into political activism. Over the years, he has emerged as a prominent voice in conservative circles, mainly for his vocal opposition to corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and LGBTQ+ initiatives. He has led campaigns aimed at major U.S. companies, including Walmart, Ford, and Harley-Davidson, urging them to scale back policies he considers "woke." Starbuck's activism sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters praise him as a champion of ideological balance in corporate and technological spheres, while opponents argue that his rhetoric has actively undermined attempts to create inclusive workplaces and protect marginalized communities. Meta's decision for the appointment of Starbuck highlights a growing focus on reducing perceived political bias in AI systems. The company has faced criticisms for claims that its algorithms favor specific ideological perspectives, prompting efforts to include different voices in AI development. By bringing in Starbuck, Meta signals its intent to consider conservative viewpoints in shaping AI behavior. The decision also reflects broader political developments. In 2025, a presidential executive order highlighted that federally funded AI models must stay ideologically neutral. This elevated regulatory attention has forced tech companies like Meta to demonstrate efforts to mitigate bias in their AI platforms. Q1. Who is Robby Starbuck? A1. Robby Starbuck is a former music video director turned conservative activist. He is known for opposing LGBTQ+ initiatives and corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. Q2. Why did Meta choose him as an AI advisor? A2. Meta says Starbuck will provide guidance on reducing political bias in AI. His appointment is to bring different ideological perspectives into AI development in the company.

Meta Brings In Anti-DEI Activist Robby Starbuck As AI Bias Advisor After Lawsuit Over Capitol Riot False Claim - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

Meta Platforms Inc. META has tapped conservative activist Robby Starbuck to advise on political and ideological bias in its AI chatbot, a move that stems from a legal dispute over false claims generated by the technology. Lawsuit Over AI Linking Robby Starbuck To Jan. 6 Capitol Riot And QAnon Starbuck, known for campaigns pressuring corporations to drop diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, sued Meta earlier this year after its AI allegedly stated he was involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and tied to QAnon, as reported by The Verge He said he discovered the claim when a Harley-Davidson dealer posted a screenshot of the chatbot's response. Meta Settlement Brings Robby Starbuck Inside To Address AI Political Bias As part of a settlement, Starbuck will work with Meta to address accuracy and bias issues. "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 and Starbuck said in a joint statement to The Wall Street Journal. Starbuck declined to say if Meta paid him as part of the settlement. "This could cause a lot of problems across the entire industry when it comes to elections and political bias, and we wanted to be leaders in solving this problem," he told CNBC. The agreement comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing AI companies to reduce so-called "woke" bias. See More: Dollar General Q4 Revenue Crushes Estimate As Sales In New Stores Pick Up Meta Shifts To Community-Driven Fact-Checking With 'Community Notes' Meta overhauled its fact-checking approach by ending its third-party program and shifting to a user-driven "Community Notes" system on March 18, 2025. Initially tested in the U.S., the system lets enrolled users write and rate notes on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads posts. Around 200,000 users are already participating, with more able to join via a waitlist. Notes won't appear immediately; only those approved by users with differing viewpoints will be published, ensuring diverse perspectives. The system resembles Twitter's contextual note feature. Price Action: META shares climbed 3.15% to $790 and were up an additional 0.34% in premarket trading on Wednesday at the time of writing, according to Benzinga Pro. Read Next: Rocket Lab Launches Next-Gen Software Platforms For Space Missions Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Photo: Shutterstock METAMeta Platforms Inc$792.910.37%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum82.77Growth81.35Quality90.97Value25.09Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck settles lawsuit over Meta on AI...

Conservative firebrand Robby Starbuck and Meta have agreed to a settlement after he sued the company alleging its AI chatbot defamed him. As part of the settlement, Starbuck will serve as a consultant to Meta, working with its Product Policy team to bolster their existing efforts to combat political bias in its AI models and reduce the risk of "hallucinations" - made-up information - generated by the chatbot. "Both parties have resolved this matter to our mutual satisfaction. 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. Building on that work, Meta and Robby Starbuck will work collaboratively in the coming months to continue to find ways to address issues of ideological and political bias and minimize the risk that the model returns hallucinations in response to user queries," Meta and Starbuck said in a joint statement. "I'm extraordinarily pleased with how Meta and I resolved this issue. Resolving this is going to result in big wins that I believe will set an example for ethical AI across the industry. I look forward to continuing our engagement as a voice for conservatives to ensure that we're always treated fairly by AI," Starbuck told Fox News Digital. Starbuck filed suit in Delaware Superior Court against Meta in April after its chatbot allegedly falsely accused him of being a "White nationalist" who was arrested on Jan. 6 and claimed he had been sued for defamation. The chatbot allegedly recommended that the right-wing influencer lose custody of his children, saying he was a danger to them. The anti-DEI activist was first made aware of the AI chatbot's smears against him in August 2024, when an X user posted several instances of Meta AI spreading misinformation about him online. The chatbot falsely claimed Starbuck was present at the Jan. 6 riot, was linked to the Q-Anon conspiracy, and was anti-vaccine. Starbuck proceeded to investigate for himself whether Meta AI was spreading lies about him and uncovered additional falsehoods from the chatbot. He decided to file a lawsuit but not before he tried to resolve the issue with Meta. Woke bias has been a concern across multiple AI platforms produced by different companies. Google Gemini faced backlash after its platform claimed that Memorial Day is a controversial holiday, and generated racially inaccurate images of historical figures. ChatGPT, the chatbot pioneered by OpenAI, had previously been found to refuse requests to praise Donald Trump, but would accept requests to praise Kamala Harris or Joe Biden. OpenAI subsequently implemented programs designed to combat bias in its models. Meta claimed that addressing political bias in its AI models has been a longstanding goal for the company. "It's well-known that all leading LLMs have had issues with bias -- specifically, they historically have leaned left when it comes to debated political and social topics. This is due to the types of training data available on the internet, our goal is to remove bias from our AI models and to make sure that Llama can understand and articulate both sides of a contentious issue." Meta wrote on their blog in April. The conservative activist told Fox News Digital he intends to use his new role with Meta to ensure that no American of any political stripe is subject to ideological bias. He's optimistic that his work with Meta will resonate across the AI industry as it continues to become an increasing presence in Americans' daily lives. "I think a tech leader like Meta working with me is a critically important step to producing a product that's fair to everyone. I think what we do to improve AI training could become an industry standard and I also think we'll set an example for the entire industry when it comes to ensuring fairness. I'm laser focused on that and ensuring that the highest quality training materials are used," Starbuck told Fox News Digital. Meta has attempted to address areas of perceived anti-conservative bias within its company since President Donald Trump returned to office. In January, the social media behemoth announced it was ending its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. The company also brought on former Republican political consultant Joel Kaplan, who worked as deputy chief of staff in the George W. Bush administration, to serve as its chief global affairs officer. Kaplan told Fox News Digital in January that eliminating DEI would ensure the company builds teams with "the most talented people."