Google's Gemini chatbot is taking a conservative approach to discussing political topics. When asked about certain political questions, Gemini often responds by saying it "can't help with responses on elections and political figures right now." This limitation is in contrast to other AI chatbots, which have started to provide more direct answers to similar questions.

Google announced in March 2024 that Gemini would not answer election-related queries leading up to several elections in the US, India, and other countries. While many AI companies adopted similar temporary restrictions, Google's continued limitation on political discussions has raised questions about the company's approach to free speech and censorship.

Comparison to Other AI Chatbots

Other AI chatbots, such as Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT, have been more willing to engage in discussions on political topics. OpenAI recently announced its commitment to "intellectual freedom" and ensuring that its AI models do not censor certain viewpoints. Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet model is also capable of making more nuanced distinctions between harmful and benign answers.

Google's approach to limiting political discussions on Gemini has sparked debate about the role of AI in free speech and the potential for censorship. While the company has not publicly announced plans to change its policies, the limitations on Gemini's political discussions have raised concerns about the potential impact on users seeking information on sensitive topics.