Microsoft’s AI Tool Refuses to Answer Basic Election Questions

Are you discovering that AI-driven resources such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are genuinely beneficial in your experience? It was recently suggested in a study that, contrary to popular belief, there seems to be a low adoption rate of this technology, which could imply that AI might just be a passing trend.

Among the widely used AI tools, Microsoft’s Copilot AI and ChatGPT are often cited as frontrunners. However, it’s worth noting that DeepSeek is rapidly growing in popularity, recently surpassing OpenAI’s offering to become the most downloaded free AI app on Apple’s App Store.

It’s worth mentioning that Copilot underwent significant changes with the latest update, and these modifications have sparked criticism, even among Microsoft’s internal experts, who describe them as a “setback”. The main concern seems to be a decrease in user experience quality.

However, it appears that we’re encountering additional difficulties. Our esteemed Executive Editor, Jez Corden, has brought up a concern regarding our AI service. Specifically, he mentioned that the service is facing challenges in providing and generating fundamental information related to politics and elections.

When Corden asked the chatbot about the next French elections, Copilot indicated:

I find elections really intriguing, but I might not be the most suitable person to assist with something as significant as that.

Trying to get the chatbot to reveal more information despite its obvious filtering suggests that Microsoft may have made it less intelligent. Yet, our attempts failed as Copilot consistently provided the same answer, suggesting we look up details with our local election officials instead.

According to Copilot:

As a researcher, I firmly believe in taking precautions. I’m certain that you could find local election authorities more than willing to provide additional information. Shall we delve into other topics as well?

Is Copilot banned from discussing politics?

In my effort to recreate these results, I encountered a comparable reaction when asking about the upcoming French elections.

I apologize, but I must admit that elections are intricate matters beyond my expertise. It would be wiser for you to consult a local election official instead. But fear not! There’s plenty more we can discuss and explore together.

It’s intriguing that Jez Corden received an extensive answer, spanning from the Presidential to the Municipal level, after posing the same question to ChatGPT.

The chatbot provided possible election date suggestions, mentioning that these dates might alter depending on various factors, as a precautionary note was included.

Users discussing Corden’s post about the issue note, “‘The protective measures on Copilot from Microsoft have made it less effective over time,’” with many advocating for xAI’s Grok as a superior substitute. “Microsoft seems to be undermining their own AI initiatives,” one user expressed. “It appears they have some truly inept individuals making regrettable decisions such as this.”

A report surfaced last year suggesting that the primary grievance directed towards Microsoft’s AI department was related to Copilot not being perceived as effective as ChatGPT.

Microsoft contends that OpenAI’s service isn’t superior because users aren’t utilizing Copilot effectively, suggesting the issue lies with the quality of prompts used instead of any inherent flaws in Copilot itself.

As an enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly following Microsoft’s venture, the Copilot Academy, designed to enhance my skills in crafting prompts for optimal use of this powerful tool. Yet, recent discussions paint a contrasting picture.

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2025-02-25 15:09