11.01.2026 23:00
Google's artificial intelligence algorithm mistakenly labeled the famous violinist Ashley MacIsaac as a 'sexual offender.' This error, caused by name similarity, led to the cancellation of the artist's concerts and dealt a significant blow to his career. Following this situation, MacIsaac planned to sue Google, while the tech giant argued that mistakes are used to improve their systems.
Google's artificial intelligence algorithm mistakenly labeled world-renowned violinist Ashley MacIsaac as a "sexual offender" due to a name similarity. Following this scandalous error, the award-winning musician, whose concerts were canceled, is preparing to sue the tech giant.
The AI-powered search summary from tech giant Google turned the life of 50-year-old Ashley MacIsaac, a Juno award winner and one of Canada's most prestigious music awards, into a nightmare. The AI described the famous musician as a convicted criminal for serious offenses such as internet fraud, sexual assault, and attempted assault on a minor.
FELL VICTIM TO NAME SIMILARITY
According to a report by the New York Post, the source of the error was the AI mixing up news about a real criminal with the same last name in Canada with the biography of the famous artist. Google's AI not only fabricated the accusations but also claimed that MacIsaac was registered in Canada's national sex offender registry.
CONCERTS CANCELED ONE AFTER ANOTHER
The spread of these baseless claims dealt a heavy blow to the artist's career. A Native community in Nova Scotia canceled MacIsaac's concert scheduled for December 19 for security reasons after seeing the AI summary. The artist stated that these erroneous data might also be behind the cancellation of a concert in Mexico last year.
"THIS IS DEFINITELY DEFAMATION"
MacIsaac, who is outraged by the injustice he experienced, said, "You are put in a more unsafe situation because of a media company; that is exactly what defamation is." Emphasizing that AI companies need to take responsibility, the artist announced that he would initiate legal action against Google if a lawyer takes on the case.
GOOGLE'S STATEMENT "WE WILL IMPROVE OUR SYSTEMS"
Following the scandal, Google Canada spokesperson Wendy Manton acknowledged that AI summaries can sometimes misinterpret content on the internet. While the company claims that such errors are used to improve their systems, the community that canceled MacIsaac's concert issued an official apology to the artist.