Google’s Gemini AI chatbot —or the chatbot’s creators themselves—need to understand that sometimes diversity efforts can go too far. Contrary to what Google’s Gemini AI generates, Nazis weren’t Black or People of Color.

In fact, the Nazi regime prided itself on “racial purity” that created a deeply-flawed systematic obsession to racially “purify” Germany’s bloodstream. This led to the mass abduction of children from neighboring countries who displayed “ideal” Aryan traits to programs which encouraged single mothers, who might be carrying children with desirable genetic traits, to give birth in comfortable, private estates instead of aborting their pregnancies.

Afro-Germans during the Reich

My current novel centers around the Black experience under Hitler. Afro-Germans, especially those of who were mixed-race, experienced intense persecution and were possibly slated for extermination alongside Germany’s Jews. While there is evidence for a few isolated cases of fair-skinned Afro-Germans joining Hitler Youth, the images generated by Google’s Gemini AI are absolutely inaccurate.

With that said, there were Black people in Germany, some of whom initially supported Hitler thinking that his vision of a “greater Germany” would lead to new opportunities for them. Sadly, this did not come to pass and Hitler targeted the Black community excessively. Read more about the Nazi persecution of the Black community on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website.

Google’s Gemini AI & history: a toxic mix

Admittedly, Google claims the issue is due to a system glitch. But we cannot be sure that this is an isolated case. What’s to prevent other glitches from happening? How do we correct them when millions can potentially be exposed to false information with just a few clicks of a button?

The fact is that AI-generated content can create ahistorical realities that can lead to extremely dangerous misunderstandings of history by future learners. Google’s Gemini AI shows us that AI can detrimentally influence future learners and creators. It is extremely difficult to eradicate misconceptions, especially visual misconceptions. When thinking about history, it’s important to go back to primary and secondary sources.

As a former Social Studies teacher and historical fiction author, I conduct rigorous research of primary and secondary sources, network with subject matter experts, and visit the sites I write about whenever possible to make sure I’m creating as accurate a story as possible.

After all, those who lived the experience deserve to have their true story told.

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