In a cringe-inducing moment that quickly went viral, Whoopi unleashed a bizarre tirade about artificial intelligence, prompting audible gasps and awkward silence on set.

But beneath the laughter and confusion lies a deeper concern: What happens when the people shaping public opinion don’t understand the technology shaping our future?

It was a typical episode of The View—a panel of voices, a mix of current events and casual banter, and the occasional heated opinion. But no one expected Whoopi Goldberg to steal the spotlight that day by launching into a baffling monologue about artificial intelligence that left the audience visibly uncomfortable and the internet ablaze with disbelief.

The segment started with a broad discussion about AI’s increasing presence in daily life—Google’s summaries at the top of searches, AI-generated news blurbs, and the rise of personal assistants like Alexa. But when the conversation turned to personal feelings about this emerging technology, Whoopi’s take was… different.

“Now, I don’t like AI, personally,” Whoopi began, shaking her head. “I know you do, but it’s not a thing for me. I had to deal with Alexa. I was like—I don’t want her. I don’t want her.”

She waved her hands in frustration, like she was swatting away a digital ghost.

“When she came out, I didn’t use her. I don’t want her.”

That’s when co-hosts and the crowd began to stir. There was a nervous chuckle here, a shifted glance there. But Whoopi doubled down.

“Well, they listen to what you’re saying, too,” she added. “She has to be present in order to listen.”

Joy Behar tried to jump in, but Whoopi kept going. “I know my little something is listening on this phone… like I’ll say something—‘I want a new hairdo’—and suddenly, hair stuff pops up on my Instagram.”

To some, this may have seemed like relatable paranoia. But to others, especially the younger and more tech-savvy audience members, it sounded like someone hopelessly out of touch with how modern algorithms work. It wasn’t that she was wrong—phones do serve up ads based on user behavior—but her logic about presence, listening, and control felt like someone trying to fight a battle they didn’t understand.

“I want some control over the progress,” she said, visibly agitated. “And I don’t like how AI has been laid out because it wasn’t presented to people—it was thrust on people.”

This moment drew an audible gasp from the studio audience. A few hands went to mouths. Others looked toward the producers off-camera. It wasn’t clear if the gasp was because of her confusion, her tone, or the deep irony of making these claims while holding a smartphone in her hand that she herself said was “part of my body.”

But it didn’t stop there.

As the conversation continued, the panel began discussing the rise of AI-generated summaries in Google searches. Someone brought up OpenAI, and one of the guests tried to explain that many companies have installed guardrails to prevent AI misuse. That’s when someone mentioned “Grok”—Elon Musk’s chatbot housed within X (formerly Twitter).

“What is Grok?” Whoopi interrupted. “I won’t even tell you because I can’t say it on air,” joked the guest.

“Oh, I want to, though,” Whoopi responded, sounding bewildered.

At this point, it was clear that Whoopi didn’t understand what Grok was, what AI systems like ChatGPT do, or even the basic mechanics behind driven ad targeting. And while it’s not a crime to be out of the loop on tech, the tone-deafness of her complaints—paired with misinformation—sparked a flurry of online reactions.

A Moment That Symbolizes a Larger Divide

Social media was quick to react. One viewer posted:

“Whoopi Goldberg just admitted she doesn’t understand AI, but she’s mad about it anyway. That explains a lot.”

Another tweeted:

“It’s like watching your aunt try to explain the internet in 1998… but she’s on national TV.”

In fairness, Whoopi’s concerns about surveillance and personal data aren’t unfounded. Many people are wary of how corporations use private information, and AI tools are indeed evolving rapidly. But critics say the issue wasn’t her fear—it was the muddled, uninformed way she expressed it.

“If you’re going to criticize AI on The View, at least know what you’re talking about,” wrote one tech columnist. “Otherwise, you’re just fueling confusion and paranoia among viewers who trust your voice.”

It wasn’t just Whoopi’s comments that got attention. Her co-hosts seemed unsure how to respond. At one point, when she mentioned that Alexa “has to be present” to listen, one of them muttered, “Uh, no,” under their breath.

And perhaps the most ironic part? While Whoopi lamented being “thrust into” the world of AI, she was doing it on a show produced using cameras equipped with facial recognition, teleprompters with predictive text, and microphones analyzed with real-time compression algorithms—all technologies underpinned by some form of AI.

Why It Matters

This viral moment on The View isn’t just fodder for memes. It reflects a broader generational and educational gap in how society understands—and misunderstands—technology.

On one side, you have a public trying to make sense of rapidly advancing tools. On the other, you have celebrities and public figures whose influence shapes perception, whether they’re informed or not.

Goldberg’s comments, sincere as they may be, expose the need for better public education on technology. People don’t need to become engineers—but in a world where AI determines what you see, hear, and sometimes even believe, it’s vital to know what you’re dealing with.

For some, Whoopi’s rant was comic relief. For others, it was a cautionary tale. But for all, it was a reminder: the future is here—and whether you like it or not, you’re already living in it.