(NewsNation) — Artificial intelligence search results on Google wrongly labeled Canadian musician Ashley MacIsaac a sex offender, resulting in his concert’s cancellation.
A famous fiddler known for blending traditional Celtic music with mainstream genres, MacIsaac was scheduled to perform at the Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada, on Dec. 19, but the show was called off.
MacIsaac said he was informed that a Google AI summary wrongly identified him as a sex offender, and the venue saw the misinformation online.
“You are being put into a less secure situation because of a media company — that’s what defamation is,” MacIsaac told the CBC. “If a lawyer wants to take this on (for free) … I would stand up because I’m not the first and I’m sure I won’t be the last.”
The 50-year-old said he realized the summary was aggregated from articles about another Canadian man with the same name.
The venue issued an apology for the mishap.
“We deeply regret the harm this caused to your reputation and livelihood,” the public apology said. “Chief and council value your artistry, contribution to the cultural life of the Maritimes, and your commitment to reconciliation.”
MacIsaac told the CBC he would like to reschedule but does not feel comfortable traveling there.