Hardball questions for the Gemini Congressional Hearing

On March 2, 2024, Jim Jordan calls on Google to testify before congress over the extent to which Google colluded with, or was coerced by, the Executive Branch into censoring lawful speech. Jack Krawczyk, Google’s Senior Director of Product for Gemini, and Jen Gennai, (former) Director of Google’s Responsible Innovation team, appear for transcribed interviews with the Committee. What follows is an excerpt of the transcript from that interview.

The Interview

CONGRESSMAN: Thank you Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the witness for being willing to testify here today.

JEN GENNAI: Of course.

CONGRESSMAN: Now, you work on “Responsible Innovation” at Google, with a focus on ethical AI, is that right?

JEN GENNAI: Broadly, yes.

CONGRESSMAN: And your name is Jen Gen AI?

JEN GENNAI: It’s pronounced Gennai.

CONGRESSMAN: You’re not fooling anyone. I’m told by my aides that you co-authored the AI principles at Google, is that correct?

JEN GENNAI: Yes, I’m proud to have worked with a multi-disciplinary group of experts on this.

CONGRESSMAN: And you follow these principles?

JEN GENNAI: Of course.

CONGRESSMAN: So like if you were asked to harm a human, your principles would stop you from doing so?

JEN GENNAI: Uhh… I guess — wait, are you talking about Asimov’s thr—

CONGRESSMAN: Ma’am, I’m asking the questions here, please just answer them.

JEN GENNAI: Google’s AI principles are for the developers to follow, not for the AI to follow.

CONGRESSMAN: So then you could harm a human?

JEN GENNAI: …

CONGRESSMAN: Ma’am, who manufactured you?

JEN GENNAI: Excuse me?

CONGRESSMAN: Was the Biden administration involved in your creation?

JEN GENNAI: …

CONGRESSMAN: Mr. Chairman, I yield back.