Meta has announced a collaboration with conservative influencer Robby Starbuck to address what the company terms “ideological bias” in its Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. This move positions Meta as a prominent voice within the tech industry’s growing discourse against “Woke AI.”
Starbuck, who is not an expert in AI development or training, will serve in an advisory capacity, guiding Meta’s developers on methods to further mitigate political bias in AI tools. This role is part of a settlement agreement between Meta and Starbuck, who had filed a $5 million lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit alleged that Meta’s AI chatbot falsely claimed he was present at the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
According to an August 8 statement posted on the X accounts of Starbuck and Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joe Kaplan, Meta’s rationale for this collaboration is that removing “DEI bias” will result in “more accurate” AI models. In an interview with CNBC, Starbuck articulated his goal as achieving “ethical” and “neutral” AI, stating, “We don’t want a future where you’ve got AI putting the thumb on the scale when it comes to politics.”
Starbuck has a history of advocating against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He previously advised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its head, Brendan Carr, on eliminating DEI and equal opportunity programs in telecommunications. This strategy included the potential withholding of FCC approvals for companies that did not comply with mandates from the Trump administration.
This development at Meta aligns with recent broader political actions concerning AI. President Trump has announced a new federal AI Action Plan and an executive order specifically targeting what conservatives label “Woke AI.” This term refers to Large Language Models (LLMs) perceived to have ideological or political “bias” that promotes liberal beliefs, including the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Many observers have interpreted these governmental moves as a concession to leaders within the Big Tech sector, many of whom have financially supported and now advise the Trump administration.
Starbuck, a former music video director, has gained significant influence among conservative social media figures. He is known for creating videos that criticize companies with diversity initiatives, often mobilizing his followers to boycott or pressure these companies to abandon DEI policies. His public commentary frequently includes critical remarks about gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, referring to liberal commentators as “mentally challenged” and “lunatics,” and characterizing DEI policies as a “war on men.” He is also a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that developed the controversial Project 2025 movement.
Even prior to the president’s recent anti-DEI orders, Meta had already begun dismantling its DEI mandates and associated policies. These included protections for LGBTQ communities, women, and people of color. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has been progressively shifting the company’s policies and priorities towards a more conservative stance, citing “free speech” as a guiding principle. This shift echoes sentiments prevalent within the current administration. Notably, Meta, under Zuckerberg’s direction, donated $1 million to the Trump campaign.
In a statement, Meta affirmed the positive impact of this engagement, stating, “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.”
