Meta’s controversial hiring of Robby Starbuck as an adviser on AI bias is just one example. His record as a leading anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) campaigner is making some folks sit up and take notice. Since first taking office in August, Starbuck has been dogged by charges of disinformation. These assertions target school shootings, vaccines, transgender individuals and other hot societal issues. Yet his pronouncements have been met with fierce backlash and concern about what his presence in the organization means for the future.
To which Starbuck’s lies probably include the ridiculous assertion that there have been dozens of domestic terrorism attacks motivated by leftist ideology. He referenced one specific incident after another to make his case, but none of these claims have been verified by independent investigations. Furthermore, Starbuck’s history of promoting an anti-LGBTQ agenda and attacking DEI initiatives has put Meta’s commitment to inclusivity under scrutiny.
Background on Robby Starbuck’s Appointment
Perhaps Robby Starbuck’s recent appointment to Meta should be a wake-up call. The terms of the settlement leading to this action are unknown to the public. He has been an outspoken critic of DEI policies, making his role all the more remarkable. This development puts major scrutiny on where exactly Meta plans to lead the world in artificial intelligence and social accountability.
Starbuck is now known for his role in several campaigns that seek to punish large corporations with reputations for progressive values. He’s not merely banished companies from pursuing their own internal DEI initiatives. He has called on them to sever relationships with pro-LGBTQ groups, including the Human Rights Campaign. Through the lens of his activist pursuits, many people today consider him a divisive, controversial figure in the ongoing debate over diversity and inclusion.
In discussing his role at Meta, Starbuck claimed, “in less than 2 weeks there have been 5 domestic terrorism attacks by leftists.” This outrageous assertion is indicative of his larger story that attempts to connect leftist ideology with terrorism. A look at analysis and investigations into these claims show vastly different results.
“Thus far, there is no evidence connecting the suspect with any leftwing groups.” – Investigators reportedly told NBC News.
Misleading Claims and Their Implications
For one, Starbuck’s rhetoric indeed echoes far-fetched claims that all U.S. shooters are radicalized by leftist ideology. He’s even singled out specific incidents as examples of this supposed trend. These specifically range from the assassination of right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk to an armed occupation of an ABC affiliate in Sacramento. Most of these claims have no basis in fact and have been rebuffed by law enforcement and community leaders as alarmist.
Local officials, such as Portland City Councillor Angelita Morillo, have already issued rebuttals to Starbuck’s claims. Morillo stated, “When I advise my constituents on how to protect themselves from federal agents acting unlawfully, I am speaking to the vast majority of Portlanders, who rightfully oppose fascism and are certainly not terrorists.” Such statements indicate a significant disconnect between Starbuck’s narrative and the perspectives of those directly involved in community safety and governance.
Starbuck has drawn negative headlines for his incendiary use of anti-LGBT language. First and foremost, he lies about transgender people. On top of that, he attempts to demonize their presence as being driven by some dark national agenda. As a result, his statements have brought unprecedented backlash from activists and community leaders. They claim that his inflammatory rhetoric has fostered a culture of intolerance and violence against marginalized communities.
“When influencers like Robby refer to ‘terrorists’, I’m not sure who they’re talking about – the guy in the frog suit? The people doing the Cha-Cha Slide outside the Ice facility in Portland?” – Angelita Morillo.
The Broader Impact on Meta and Society
Robby Starbuck’s appointment at Meta also comes as a critical time in our society where we are debating the role of technology companies in tackling misinformation. Yet his presence raises several key questions. How can we expect the world’s largest purveyor of disinformation to solve these challenges going forward, especially given their past failures on the platform?
Critics argue that having someone like Starbuck as an adviser could undermine ongoing efforts toward creating a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape. In other words, they argue that given his track record of opposing DEI efforts, he would be more likely to stoke polarization among the online communities.
Alderman Candace Avalos, another Portland City Councillor, shared her concern about what Starbuck’s comments would mean for the movement. She remarked, “People are free to say what they like on social media. That doesn’t make their statements true, and it doesn’t mean we have to take them at face value.” This sentiment cuts to the heart of why accountability is needed in any conversation about tackling misinformation.
Starbuck’s polarizing history makes their pick an odd one. He is now making good on that threat by suing Meta over false claims made by its AI chatbot. This impending threat further complicates his already fraught relationship with the group. Such a radical move takes place at a time when people’s trust in AI technology is already low.
“I don’t have the luxury of ignoring this reality – my security team and the FBI are actively handling ongoing death threats against me,” Starbuck stated in response to criticism regarding his claims.