Wiener shuts down Connie Chan AI chatbot after backlash

California State Senator Scott Wiener pulled down his self-described “push the envelope” Connie Chan AI chatbot after critics accused it of weaponizing AI against a woman of color; Wiener apologized and removed the bot and billboards within hours, while Chan’s camp and supporters argued the stunt backfired and amplified concerns about AI in politics, though some observers say it still defined the race.