Scott Wiener’s AI chatbot stunt sparks criticism amid housing and Israel debates

In the contest for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, State Senator Scott Wiener launched an AI chatbot that depicted his rival Connie Chan as a staunch opponent of any housing development. Wiener argues his own legislation, SB 79, would increase housing near bus and train hubs, but opponents say the plan would erect high-rise towers in neighborhoods many residents oppose, especially in a city where public-transit ridership is already low.

The chatbot maneuver has been condemned as a misuse of artificial intelligence and as contradictory, given Wiener’s prior vote for AB 2839, a bill that sought to ban deepfake videos of politicians before elections before being invalidated by a federal court. Additionally, Wiener’s past remarks labeling the Gaza war a “genocide” and his reversal on support for Israel have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. These controversies compound the perception of Wiener as a polarizing figure in a race that pits two progressive Democrats against each other, leaving San Francisco voters with limited options.