New anti-DEI Meta AI advisor Robby Starbuck accused of ‘peddling lies and pushing extremism’

Right-wing, anti-LGBTQ+ pundit Robby Starbuck has been accused of “peddling lies and pushing extremism”, in his new role as Meta’s AI adviser.

Starbuck, a former music video director and failed congressional candidate, has become the face of the right’s battle against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The anti-woke campaigner brought legal action against Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, after the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot falsely claimed he took part in the riot at the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021, seeking $5 million (£3.75 million) in damages.

In August, as part of the settlement, Starbuck was appointed to advise Meta on how to prevent political bias in its AI, The Wall Street Journal reported. Since his appointment, he has been accused of claiming shooters in the US were motivated by leftist ideology, referred to faith-based protest groups as communities, and tied Democratic lawmakers to murders. 

Heidi Beirich, the co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, told The Guardian: “It is appalling that Robby Starbuck was given a hand in Meta operations in any capacity. He peddles lies and pushes extremism, and it is hard to believe any of this will help make their platforms safer or better.” 

In response, Starbuck told the newspaper: “It seems your piece is an attempted hit job meant to punish Meta for working with me on AI fairness.” 

His statements were not made on behalf of Meta, he added.

‘Starbuck pushes a dangerous anti-LGBTQ agenda’

“My role is simple: work to make AI fair for everyone, regardless of their views. That’s a goal anyone who believes in fairness should support. What you’re really trying here looks like cancel culture and activism dressed up as journalism, and I won’t cower for holding the same views as the political party that won the popular vote less than a year ago in America.”

Eric Bloem, the vice-president of corporate citizenship at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, said: “People should be able to find safe, welcoming communities online. Robby Starbuck pushes a dangerous anti-LGBTQ agenda, spreading disinformation and denying the very existence of transgender people.”

Starbuck has been at the front of a campaign to cancel all DEI initiatives, leading threats to boycott major companies, including Walmart, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Jack Daniel’s, Stanley Black & Decker and John Deere.

PinkNews has contacted Meta for comment. 

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