Canadian musician Ashley MacIsaac has launched a $1.5 million civil lawsuit against Google, alleging defamation after the company's AI Overview feature falsely identified him as a sex offender. The three-time Juno Award-winning fiddler filed the claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asserting that Google is liable for the 'foreseeable republication' of its AI-generated summary, which wrongly stated he had been convicted of multiple criminal offences, including sexual assault, internet luring of a child, and assault causing bodily harm.
Details of the Lawsuit
The AI Overview also falsely claimed that MacIsaac had been placed on the national sex offender registry for life. MacIsaac's lawsuit argues that Google, as the creator and operator of the AI Overview, is responsible for injuries and losses resulting from its defective design. The musician is seeking $500,000 in general damages, $500,000 in aggravated damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages.
Consequences of the Misinformation
MacIsaac discovered the inaccurate information when the Sipekne'katik First Nation cancelled a concert planned for 19 December after public complaints citing the false claims. The First Nation later issued a public apology, stating that decisions were based on incorrect AI-generated information and expressing regret for the harm caused to MacIsaac's reputation and livelihood.
MacIsaac told the Canadian Press that the misinformation left him with a 'tangible fear' about performing, fearing for his safety on stage due to the false label. He also noted that Google never contacted him or apologized for the error.
Legal and Public Response
The lawsuit criticizes Google's 'cavalier and indifferent response' to publishing false statements about serious sexual offences, arguing that punitive damages are justified. MacIsaac's lawyer stated that if a human spokesperson had made such allegations, a significant award would be warranted, and Google should not have lesser liability because the defamatory statements were published by its software.
In a statement, MacIsaac said, 'I believe this is a serious issue that needs to be resolved in the courts.' The Guardian has reached out to Google for comment. In December, a Google spokesperson said that AI Overviews frequently improve to show the most helpful information and that they use issues to improve systems. Google's AI Overview about MacIsaac now includes a statement about his legal action.
