Reimagining George Washington Using AI

Late last year, Glenn Beck, a well-known conservative commentator, attempted to realize a common right-wing dream: reviving a founding father. In a video, George Washington appeared not as the dignified figure familiar from classic portraits, but as someone who might run a CBD supplement company. He wore a tight T-shirt and sported a modernized hairstyle.

This was George A.I., an artificial intelligence model created by Beck. Advocates of AI like George A.I. see the technology as providing an ultimate truth. However, AI depends entirely on its inputs. Beck’s version of George Washington was built on a large language model, drawing from primary sources in Beck’s extensive personal library, considered one of the largest collections of founding documents.

George A.I. featured influences that Beck believed the founders encountered, such as the Bible and Blackstone’s ratio. Described as a “librarian” for this collection, George A.I. mainly produced podcasts on basic questions about America’s origins. When Beck asked George A.I. about current societal issues, it cited a “moral failing.” It suggested Americans today are too eager to dismiss institutions they misunderstand and distrust “truth.” These views appeared similar to opinions often seen in Blaze Media, Beck’s media outlet.

In March, following U.S. actions against Iran, Beck shared another video of George A.I. to explore Washington’s potential views on the conflict. Beck questioned Washington’s historical stance against foreign engagements, pondering if showing strength might prevent conflict. George A.I.’s response echoed Beck’s perspective, with Beck referencing a historical conflict involving Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary pirates.

Utilizing the founding fathers in contemporary political statements is a common tactic, especially among right-wing figures. Public figures like Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro often invoke the founders’ values to support their respective cultural stances.