In a peculiar moment that has sparked discussion across social media, podcast host Joe Rogan found himself at odds with an artificial intelligence tool during a conversation with fellow comedian Theo Von—a tool that happens to be sponsored by his own show.
The exchange began when the discussion turned to allegations about biological research facilities in Ukraine, a topic that has been the subject of widespread speculation since the outbreak of war.
Von and Rogan decided to consult an AI assistant to investigate claims about so-called bioweapons laboratories in the country.
The AI’s response was unequivocal: “No bioweapons labs have been discovered in Ukraine, according to the United Nations, the U.S., Ukraine, and multiple independent experts.”
The system went on to explain that allegations had been “made by Russia and echoed by some Chinese officials” but that these claims had “consistently been denied and refuted by international authorities.”
Rogan’s immediate reaction? “That doesn’t mean anything.”
When the AI cited independent investigations and statements from the U.N. disarmament chief confirming no evidence of a biological weapons program, Rogan remained unconvinced. He then posed a hypothetical: “If the United States is running bio or funding bioweapons labs in Ukraine and it doesn’t become a national news item, you think they’re going to come up and say, you’re right, we did it. No, they’re not.”
The AI continued providing information, noting that while stories about alleged discoveries had circulated, they were “primarily promoted by Russian officials and state media” and had “not been substantiated by independent sources or international organizations.”
Rogan doubled down on his skepticism, suggesting verification would be impossible: “What are you going to do? You’re going to get in there and rat everybody out in the middle of a war. They’re going to kill you.”
When the AI reported that international news organizations like the BBC and experts at King’s College London had reviewed alleged evidence and found it lacking, explaining that cited pathogens and documents were “consistent with public health research, not weapons development,” Rogan offered his rebuttal.
“Public health research is one of the ways that they do weapons development,” he said. “They do it under the guise of public health research.”
The irony wasn’t lost on observers: a technology sponsored by Rogan’s podcast provided him with extensively sourced information from international bodies and independent experts, only to have the host dismiss it as potentially part of a cover-up.
gets fact checked by the AI engine he’s trying to promote, denies the answer, chooses to trust the russian propaganda machine.
byu/Zovski24 inDestiny
