Conservative activist Robby Starbuck has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that its AI systems generated false and defamatory statements about him, including claims that he is a 'child rapist,' 'serial sexual abuser,' and 'shooter,' which he asserts have harmed his reputation and could endanger his life.

The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, demands over $15 million in damages and claims that Google's AI listed fake media sources to support these false allegations.

Starbuck, known for opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, has emphasized the potential dangers of AI-generated misinformation and called for more transparent, unbiased AI systems that cannot be weaponized.

Google acknowledged the issue, attributing most of the false claims to 'hallucinations' of its Bard AI model, which it has been working to address since 2023, as hallucinations are a known problem in large language models.

The company stated it would review the complaint and is actively working to improve its AI to minimize misleading outputs, recognizing that large language models can produce inaccurate or misleading answers.

Legal experts note that U.S. courts have yet to award damages in defamation cases involving AI chatbots, citing a 2023 case where OpenAI was cleared of defamation claims due to lack of proof of 'actual malice.'

Starbuck, of Cuban-American descent, has gained prominence as a conservative activist opposing DEI initiatives and has successfully pressured major corporations like Walmart, Ford, and John Deere to cut back on their DEI and ESG programs.

This lawsuit highlights broader concerns about AI's role in spreading misinformation, especially with tools like Google’s VEO3 AI video, which can create deceptive news videos, raising safety and misinformation issues.

This is Starbuck’s second AI-related lawsuit in 2025; he previously sued Meta over false claims made by its AI, which was settled when Meta hired him as an adviser.

Starbuck has expressed that the false claims have not only damaged his reputation but also pose a threat to his safety, citing the recent murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a warning of potential violence fueled by misinformation.