With artificial intelligence giving us such comprehensive answers to basic questions, and AI news anchors making debuts in some places, these could be warning signs for an impending performance pressure for our desi news anchors. And maybe that won’t be a bad thing after all – consider the frenzied ‘news debates’ on George Soros over the weekend. 

The billionaire hedge fund investor was in the eye of a political storm in India with his comments on the Narendra Modi government and the Adani Group. Predictably enough, a large section of TV media has chose to follow the government’s line about the billionaire’s remarks being an “attack on India” and took it a notch up – Soros, BBC, Hindenburg were described as part of an international ‘tukde tukde’ gang with local support from who else but those damned Indian liberals and Opposition parties. 

Since several news anchors failed to bring informed and intelligent discussions on the controversial figure, we thought may as well buck the trend and rely on Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT to make sense of this international plot against India. 

Here are some excerpts from the conversation.

Who is George Soros?

George Soros is a billionaire investor, philanthropist, and political activist. He was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1930, and later emigrated to the United States. Soros is widely known for his successful career as a hedge fund manager, having founded Soros Fund Management in 1969. He is also known for his philanthropic work through the Open Society Foundations, which he founded in 1979, and which has contributed billions of dollars to various causes such as human rights, education, and public health.

Soros is a controversial figure due to his involvement in political activism and his support for progressive causes. He has been criticised by some for his support of liberal policies and organisations, particularly in his native Hungary and in the United States, and has been the subject of various conspiracy theories. Nonetheless, Soros is widely recognised for his philanthropic work, and has received numerous honours and awards for his contributions to society.

What sort of conspiracies?

There have been a number of conspiracies associated with George Soros over the years. Some of the more common ones include:

1. Control of governments and elections: Some conspiracy theories claim that Soros uses his wealth and influence to control elections and governments around the world. This is often associated with accusations of a globalist agenda, with Soros allegedly seeking to undermine national sovereignty and promote a one-world government.

2. Funding of protests and unrest: Soros has been accused of funding various protests and movements around the world, including the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, the refugee crisis in Europe, and the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East. These accusations are often tied to the idea that Soros is seeking to create chaos and destabilise governments.

3. Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories: Soros is Jewish, and has been the subject of numerous anti-Semitic conspiracy theories over the years. These range from accusations that he is part of a Jewish conspiracy to control the world, to claims that he was a Nazi collaborator during World War II.

It's important to note that there is no evidence to support these conspiracy theories, and they have been widely debunked by journalists and fact-checkers. Nonetheless, they continue to circulate online and are often used as a way to discredit Soros and his philanthropic work.

Is there any truth to the conspiracies you have mentioned? What about promoting a liberal agenda and undermining democracies?

No, there is no credible evidence to support the conspiracy theories associated with George Soros, including the ones I mentioned earlier.

Regarding the accusation that Soros is promoting a liberal agenda and undermining democracies, it is true that Soros has been a prominent supporter of progressive causes such as human rights, social justice, and democracy. However, this is a legitimate expression of his political beliefs and his philanthropic work. The Open Society Foundations, which Soros founded and supports, has worked to promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in countries around the world, including in some countries where democratic institutions are weak or under threat.

While some critics may disagree with Soros' political views or the causes he supports, there is no evidence to suggest that he is involved in any nefarious activities or is seeking to undermine democracies. In fact, Soros has been a vocal advocate for democratic values and institutions, and has spoken out against authoritarian leaders and regimes around the world.

Can you list any valid criticisms of George Soros rooted in facts?

Yes, there are some valid criticisms of George Soros that are based on facts. Here are a few:

1. Currency speculation: Soros made much of his fortune through currency speculation, which involves betting on the rise and fall of currencies. Some critics argue that this type of financial activity can be harmful to economies, as it can lead to destabilising currency fluctuations.

2. Political interference: Soros has been involved in supporting political causes and campaigns around the world, and some have accused him of using his wealth and influence to interfere in the political process. While Soros and his organisations argue that their work is focused on promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice, some critics argue that his activities could be seen as a form of political interference.

3. Personal attacks: Some of the criticism directed at Soros has been personal in nature, including anti-Semitic attacks and accusations that he is part of a globalist conspiracy. These attacks are baseless and have been widely condemned by mainstream politicians and media outlets.

It's worth noting that while there are certainly valid criticisms of Soros, his philanthropic work has also had a positive impact on many people around the world, and he has received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to society.

Why do Indian TV news anchors hate him so much?

There are several reasons why some Indian TV news anchors may express strong negative opinions about George Soros.

One reason is that Soros has been critical of the Indian government and its policies on several occasions. For example, he has spoken out against the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its treatment of religious minorities, and its crackdown on civil society organizations. Some news anchors may view this criticism as an attack on India's sovereignty or an attempt to interfere in its internal affairs.

Another reason is that Soros is often associated with progressive causes and values, which may not align with the political views of some news anchors or the channels they work for. Some Indian news channels have been accused of promoting a nationalist agenda or a pro-government bias, and Soros’ advocacy for democracy, human rights, and social justice may be seen as a threat to these values.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Soros has been the target of numerous conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns in India and around the world. Some news anchors may repeat or amplify these false claims, either out of a belief in their veracity or as a way to attract attention or boost ratings.

It's important to recognise that not all Indian news anchors share the same views about Soros, and that opinions about him and his work can vary widely. It’s also important to seek out accurate and reliable information from diverse sources in order to form an informed opinion about any issue or individual.

Which news anchors should I trust when it comes to this issue?

As an AI language model, I do not endorse or recommend specific news anchors or news outlets. It's important to approach news coverage of any issue with a critical and discerning eye, and to seek out information from multiple sources in order to form an informed opinion.

When evaluating news coverage of George Soros or any other topic, it can be helpful to look for sources that prioritise accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in their reporting. Here are a few general tips that may help you evaluate news coverage:

1. Look for sources that are transparent about their funding and ownership. News outlets that are owned or funded by political or business interests may be more likely to have a particular bias or agenda.

2. Seek out news outlets that adhere to recognised journalistic standards, such as the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics.

3. Consider seeking out news sources that offer a range of perspectives on the issue. This can help you get a more well-rounded understanding of the topic and avoid a narrow or one-sided view.

4. Be cautious of sources that use sensational language or rely heavily on opinion or commentary. While opinion and commentary can be valuable, they should be clearly labeled and separate from factual reporting.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide which news sources they trust and find most reliable. It can be helpful to regularly evaluate and re-evaluate the sources you rely on for news and information, and to seek out diverse perspectives in order to stay informed and engaged.

Our picks

Meanwhile, here are five pieces we suggest reading on Soros and his many controversies, starting from this New Yorker article from 1995 to more recent ones by the BBC, Guardian, Foreign Policy, and New York Times.    

Spellings in ChatGPT’s responses have been changed from American to British English.