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Why Conservatives Who Value Free Speech Are Creating New Web Browsers & AI LLMs

Episode Summary

Concerned about political bias online? Here’s a look at the debate around internet neutrality, AI tools, and what conservative users can do in response.More information is available at https://tuskbrowser.com/gippr/

Episode Notes

Conversations about free speech and political neutrality have long extended into the digital world. With much of modern life shaped by online platforms, the question of who controls information—and how that control shapes public opinion—has become increasingly urgent.

In recent years, attention has turned not only to search engines and social media but also to artificial intelligence. These technologies are developing at breakneck speed, sparking new debates about whether they reflect—or reinforce—particular ideological perspectives.

The truth is that many right-wing commentators in the US have argued that they see a liberal bias influencing the internet landscape in the country. They also see a rising pro-censorship and anti-free speech strain developing; one that has gone largely unchecked.

Critics argue that even if bias is not intentional, the algorithms and moderation policies guiding online spaces can shape the kind of speech that is visible, prioritized or silenced. This has led to growing concern that certain political perspectives may be systematically disadvantaged in the digital public square.

Many on the right also believe that not only are the internet and the big search engines prejudiced against traditional and conservative viewpoints—and therefore fundamentally undermining the tenets of free speech—but also the new AI tools that Americans have taken up at lightning speed

As a recent article by the Society for Computers & Law argued, most LLMs are left-leaning when tested on their political ideology. They suggested that, despite the fact that these LLMs will state they are politically neutral if prompted, they tend to align with views that support both globally held liberal policies and schools of thoughts, as well as those held specifically by the Democratic Party in the United States.

Citing another recent study, the Society for Computers & Law also posited that these LLMs display an even more noticeable left-wing bias when asked questions about more polarising topics like immigration.

While the reasons this has happened are complex and multifaceted, right-wing commentators believe that not enough is being said about the exclusion of right-wing and conservative beliefs and ideas from the data sets with these LLMs are trained on.

As such, American conservatives who feel sidelined in the digital sphere often look for practical ways to ensure their perspectives are represented. One option is to explore platforms and tools designed to prioritize free expression rather than filtering or shaping content to fit particular viewpoints. Users might also consider varying their information sources, deliberately seeking out publications and commentators across the political spectrum to gain a more balanced perspective.

When it comes to AI specifically, a helpful step is to treat responses from large language models as starting points rather than definitive answers. Cross-checking outputs, asking questions in different ways and engaging with multiple platforms can help reduce the impact of any perceived bias.

Additionally, using privacy-focused browsers and search engines can give individuals more control over how their data is collected and how their online experiences are shaped. Ultimately, the more proactive users are in curating their digital environments, the more likely they are to encounter a fuller range of ideas.

Whether online or in AI-driven spaces, staying informed, critical and intentional can help ensure that no single perspective dominates the conversation.

For more information, visit the website in the description. TUSK City: Santa Barbara Address: 5383 Hollister Ave., Suite 120 Website: https://tuskbrowser.com/