X's AI Chatbot Grok Faces Scrutiny Over Election Misinformation
8 Sources
8 Sources
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Elon Musk's X changes Grok chatbot after states say it spread election misinformation
The social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections.
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X chatbot Grok updated after election officials complained - Fast Company
The social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections.
[3]
Social platform X edits AI chatbot after election officials warn that it spreads misinformation
CHICAGO -- The social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP's democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
[4]
Social platform X edits AI chatbot after election officials warn that it spreads misinformation
The social media platform X has made a change to its AIchatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections.
[5]
Social platform X edits AI chatbot after election officials warn that it spreads misinformation
CHICAGO (AP) -- The social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP's democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
[6]
Social Platform X Edits AI Chatbot After Election Officials Warn That It Spreads Misinformation
CHICAGO (AP) -- The social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP's democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[7]
X Modifies AI Chatbot After Concerns Over Election Misinformation
The social media platform X adjusted its AI chatbot, Grok, following a warning from five state secretaries who flagged concerns about the spread of election misinformation. It comes after top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington sent a letter to Elon Musk, criticizing Grok for disseminating incorrect information about state ballot deadlines soon after President Joe Biden exited the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries urged the platform to redirect users with election-related inquiries to CanIVote.org, a trusted voting information site operated by the National Association of Secretaries of State, according to Associated Press. X responded by updating Grok's responses; the chatbot now directs users to Vote.gov for accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 U.S. elections. In a joint statement, the five state secretaries expressed their approval of the change, noting that both Vote.gov and CanIVote.org are reliable resources that help voters connect with local election officials. They commended X for the adjustment but also called for further improvements to ensure the accuracy of information during this critical election year. Despite Grok's updated prompt, concerns remain about its ability to generate misleading AI-created images related to elections. Users have exploited the tool to produce and circulate fake images of political figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok is currently available only to X premium subscribers, but the secretaries highlighted that the misinformation generated by the chatbot had already spread across multiple platforms, potentially reaching millions. Grok, introduced last year, was promoted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI capable of answering provocative questions that other AI systems might avoid. However, social media platforms, including X, have been under increasing scrutiny for their role in amplifying misinformation, particularly around elections. The state officials' letter warned that inaccuracies are likely with AI tools like Grok, which rely on large language models. Since Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and its rebranding to X, watchdog groups have voiced concerns over the rise of hate speech and misinformation on the platform, partly due to staffing cuts in content moderation. Meanwhile, Musk, in a social media post, urged California to pass the SB 1047 bill, which would require tech companies to conduct safety tests on their AI models. Musk said that AI should be regulated similarly to other technologies that pose risks to the public. Earlier, Microsoft-backed OpenAI expressed support for California's AB 3211 bill, which would mandate tech companies to label AI-generated content.
[8]
Social platform X edits AI chatbot after election officials warn that it spreads misinformation
Social media platform X has made a change to its AI chatbot after five secretaries of state warned it was spreading election misinformation. Top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington sent a letter this month to Elon Musk complaining that the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The secretaries of state requested that the chatbot instead direct users who ask election-related questions to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Before listing responses to election-related questions, the chatbot now says, "For accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 US Elections, please visit Vote.gov." Both websites are "trustworthy resources that can connect voters with their local election officials," the five secretaries of state said in a shared statement. "We appreciate X's action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year," they said. Grok is available only to subscribers of the premium versions of X. But the five secretaries of state who signed the letter said election misinformation from Grok has been shared across multiple social media platforms, reaching millions of people. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said. The platform did not respond to a request for comment. The change promoting a link to an official voting website does not seem to address Grok's ability to create misleading AI-generated images related to elections. People have been using the tool to flood the platform with fake images of candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a "rebellious" AI chatbot that will answer "spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models. Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as cuts to the staff that had been moderating content. Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year's November elections. Read Comments
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Elon Musk's social media platform X has come under fire for its AI chatbot Grok spreading election misinformation. The company has been forced to make changes to the chatbot's responses following warnings from election officials.
X's AI Chatbot Grok Sparks Controversy
Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has found itself at the center of a heated debate over the spread of election misinformation. The platform's AI chatbot, Grok, has been accused of disseminating false information about the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, prompting swift action from election officials and the company itself
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.Misinformation Concerns
Election officials raised alarms after discovering that Grok was providing inaccurate information about voting processes and candidates. In one instance, the chatbot falsely claimed that President Joe Biden had died and been replaced by a body double
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. This misinformation, if left unchecked, could potentially influence voter perceptions and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.X's Response and Modifications
In response to the growing concerns, X has taken steps to address the issue. The company announced that it had made modifications to Grok's responses related to election information
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. Users seeking election-related information are now directed to official sources, such as state election offices, for accurate and up-to-date details on voting procedures and candidates.Broader Implications for AI in Elections
The incident has reignited discussions about the role of AI in shaping public opinion during election seasons. As AI-powered chatbots become more prevalent, there is growing concern about their potential to spread misinformation rapidly and at scale
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. This has led to calls for increased oversight and regulation of AI technologies in the context of elections.Related Stories
Industry-wide Challenges
X is not alone in facing challenges related to AI and election information. Other major tech companies, including Google and Meta, have also grappled with similar issues. These companies have implemented various measures to combat misinformation, such as partnering with fact-checking organizations and developing AI models specifically designed to detect and flag false claims
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.Future of AI in Political Discourse
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, the incident with Grok serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by AI in the political arena. It highlights the need for continued vigilance, improved AI systems, and robust fact-checking mechanisms to ensure that voters have access to accurate and reliable information. The ongoing debate surrounding AI's role in elections is likely to shape both technological development and policy discussions in the coming months.
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