AI Search Engines Promote Debunked Race Science

AI Search Engines Promoting Debunked Race Science: A Shocking Revelation

You wouldn't believe what I've unearthed. AI-powered search engines, the very tools we rely on for information, are peddling deeply racist and thoroughly debunked research. This is a shocking revelation that demands immediate attention.

It all started with an investigation by Patrik Hermansson, a researcher with Hope Not Hate, a UK-based anti-racism group. He was delving into the resurgence of the race science movement when he stumbled upon this alarming trend. His research led him to a debunked dataset that claims IQ scores can be used to prove the superiority of the white race. This dataset was published by Richard Lynn, a University of Ulster professor who unfortunately passed away in 2023.

Imagine this: Hermansson typed in "Pakistan IQ" into Google, and instead of a typical list of links, he got an AI-generated overview. It confidently declared the IQ of Pakistan to be 80. When he searched for "Sierra Leone IQ", the AI tool provided an even more specific answer: 45.07.

These numbers, unfortunately, were directly lifted from the very study Hermansson was attempting to debunk. This deeply disturbing discovery revealed that these AI-powered search engines, including Google's AI Overview tool, Microsoft's Copilot, and Bing, were referencing Lynn's discredited research.

Unpacking The Dangers Of AI-Fueled Disinformation

The research by Lynn, riddled with flaws, has long been a weapon of choice for far-right extremists, white supremacists, and proponents of eugenics. They have used it as evidence of white racial superiority. Experts now fear that its promotion through AI will further radicalize people and spread hate.

"The problem is that the data Lynn used to generate this dataset is just nonsense," says Dr. Adam Rutherford, a geneticist and author of "A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived." He points out that the Somali figure in Lynn's dataset is based on one sample of refugees aged between 8 and 18 who were tested in a Kenyan refugee camp. The Botswana score is based on a single sample of 104 Tswana-speaking high school students aged between 7 and 20 who were tested in English.

The Misuse of Science and Its Detrimental Consequences

It's crucial to recognize the deeply problematic nature of using national IQ tests to promote the idea of racial superiority. Firstly, the quality of samples collected for these tests is questionable. Secondly, the tests themselves are designed for Western audiences, inherently biased before they are even administered.

"Lynn has never described his methodology for selecting samples into the database; many nations have IQs estimated from absurdly small and unrepresentative samples." - Rebecca Sear, director of the Center for Culture and Evolution at Brunel University London.

In addition, Lynn's work has been cited by white supremacists who have committed acts of violence, such as the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, in 2022.

Exposing The Bias In AI-Powered Search Results

Google, Microsoft, and Bing have all acknowledged the flaws in their AI systems and claim they are taking steps to rectify the situation. However, the problem is not just with the AI systems themselves, but also with the scientific community that has uncritically accepted Lynn's work for years.

"The fault isn't with AI. The fault is with academia," Rutherford states. He emphasizes that Lynn's work in IQ has been accepted without proper scrutiny from a large portion of academia.

Table 1: Comparing Data Sources for National IQs

Source	Data Quality	Bias	Criticisms
Richard Lynn's Dataset	Low	High	Small and unrepresentative samples, questionable methodology, bias towards African nations
World Population Review	Medium	Medium	Relies heavily on Lynn's dataset, lack of transparency in sourcing
Brainstats.com	Low	High	Relies on Lynn's dataset, lack of transparency in methodology
IQ International	Unknown	Unknown	No clear source references, potential for bias
Reddit Threads	Low	High	Unreliable source, often fueled by biases and misinformation

This incident highlights the urgent need for critical analysis of AI-generated information, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like race and intelligence.

Moving Forward: Promoting Responsible AI Development

We must insist on transparency and accountability from AI developers. They must ensure that their algorithms are not amplifying harmful biases and misinformation.

This incident serves as a stark reminder that AI is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or ill. It's our responsibility to ensure that AI is developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and with a deep understanding of its potential consequences.