Perplexity’s Tech Integrates into Truth Search AI, Raising Concerns Over Bias and Censorship

Truth Social, the social media platform founded by President Donald Trump, has launched a new AI-powered search engine called Truth Search AI. Developed in partnership with AI startup Perplexity, the search engine promises to provide “direct, contextually accurate answers with transparent citations” to users. However, critics are sounding the alarm over potential biases and censorship built into the platform.

According to a press release, Truth Search AI uses Perplexity’s Sonar API, which allows the platform to query the web and retrieve current and verified information. However, the API’s accuracy is limited by the sources of information that Truth Social chooses to draw from. “We have no visibility or control over that,” said Jesse Dwyer, a Perplexity spokesperson. “Similar to you using the API inside of your own company or if you were an academic researcher and wanted to use it to search your own data.”

A test of the search engine by Axios revealed that it tends to favor right-wing sources, with FoxNews.com and FoxBusiness.com appearing as the most common or sole sources of information in its responses. In contrast, Perplexity’s public search engine returns a wider variety of sources, including Wikipedia, Reddit, YouTube, NPR, and Politico.

The launch of Truth Search AI comes on the heels of a executive order signed by Trump targeting “biased AI” and promoting “ideologically neutral” models. The order specifically referred to information about race or sex, unconscious bias, systemic racism, and other ideas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as “pervasive and destructive” ideology.

Critics are concerned that Truth Search AI may be used to promote a specific agenda and suppress opposing viewpoints. “This is a clear attempt to manipulate public opinion and shape the narrative,” said a spokesperson for a prominent tech watchdog group. “We urge Truth Social to be transparent about its sources and methods, and to ensure that its search engine is unbiased and accurate.”

In related news, top AI firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have been added to a list of approved vendors that can sell their services to civilian federal agencies. OpenAI has reached a deal with the U.S. government’s central purchasing arm to sell ChatGPT Enterprise to agencies for just $1 per year.

The launch of Truth Search AI has sparked a heated debate over the role of AI in shaping public opinion and the potential for censorship and bias in AI-powered search engines. As the tech industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the stakes are higher than ever.

The Implications of Truth Search AI

The launch of Truth Search AI raises several concerns about the potential implications of AI-powered search engines:

• Censorship: By limiting the sources of information that Truth Search AI draws from, the platform may be able to suppress opposing viewpoints and shape public opinion.
• Bias: The test by Axios revealed that Truth Search AI tends to favor right-wing sources, which may indicate a bias in the platform’s results.
• Transparency: The lack of transparency about Truth Social’s sources and methods raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the search engine.
• Impact on democracy: The potential for AI-powered search engines to shape public opinion and influence democratic outcomes raises concerns about the impact on democracy.

The Future of AI-Powered Search Engines

The launch of Truth Search AI is just the latest development in the rapidly evolving field of AI-powered search engines. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more AI-powered search engines emerge, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

However, the potential implications of AI-powered search engines cannot be ignored. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize transparency, accuracy, and fairness in AI-powered search engines. This includes:

• Transparency: Ensuring that AI-powered search engines are transparent about their sources and methods.
• Accuracy: Ensuring that AI-powered search engines provide accurate and reliable results.
• Fairness: Ensuring that AI-powered search engines do not perpetuate biases or discrimination.

By prioritizing transparency, accuracy, and fairness, we can ensure that AI-powered search engines serve the public interest and promote a more informed and engaged citizenry.