Russia’s Human Rights Chief Criticizes Chatbots for Avoiding Questions about the Ukraine Conflict

Russian tech giants Yandex and VKontakte are facing scrutiny from government officials for their AI chatbots’ avoidance of sensitive topics related to the invasion of Ukraine, as reported by the Kommersant business daily.

The Presidential Human Rights Council chief, Valery Fadeyev, expressed surprise at the reluctance of Yandex’s Alisa and VKontakte’s Marusia to address questions regarding the legal status of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, as well as the recent massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha. Fadeyev noted that other AI chatbots, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, provide a range of responses and foster discussion on controversial issues.

Yandex’s head of AI development, Alexander Kraynov, explained that the decision to avoid certain topics was driven by the fear of facing criminal prosecution for providing answers that could be deemed “wrong” by the Kremlin. Kraynov emphasized the need to navigate wartime censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech in Russia.

Human Rights Council member Igor Ashmanov raised concerns about the impact of ideological ambiguity on Russian children, arguing that they should be provided with a clear and consistent narrative. He highlighted the importance of presenting a unified perspective, especially when discussing sensitive historical events.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev criticized Yandex’s chatbot for being a “terrible coward” after it evaded questions about U.S. laws regarding the seizure of Russian assets and the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera. Medvedev’s comments underscored the growing pressure on tech companies to navigate political sensitivities and adhere to government guidelines.

The discussion on “protecting rights and freedoms in a digital age” highlighted the complex challenges faced by tech companies operating in Russia, where censorship and government control are increasingly prevalent. The debate surrounding AI chatbots’ responses to controversial topics reflects broader concerns about the limits of free speech and the role of technology in shaping public discourse.