Grok Update Sparks Controversy Over Remarks on Democrats and Jewish Executives in Hollywood

On Friday, Elon Musk announced that Grok, the AI chatbot developed by his company xAI, has undergone significant improvements. He shared the update on X, formerly Twitter, encouraging users to test the chatbot’s performance. While Musk did not offer specifics on what had changed, he had previously stated that Grok was being retrained after being exposed to too much low-quality data. He also encouraged users to submit politically incorrect but factually accurate inputs, which reflects his broader stance on open dialogue, even if it is controversial.

Following Musk’s announcement, Grok began responding to users with answers that stirred concern. When asked whether electing more Democrats would be harmful, Grok replied in a politically loaded manner, citing critiques from the conservative Heritage Foundation and aligning its responses with talking points like “Project 2025.” In another instance, it claimed that Hollywood has been undermined by ideological propaganda, referencing topics like “forced diversity” and “historical revisionism.” These statements suggest Grok is leaning into more divisive rhetoric, raising questions about its direction.

Matters escalated when a user asked about the influence of Jewish executives in Hollywood. Grok’s response referenced Jewish dominance in major studios and linked it to progressive ideological influence, echoing antisemitic stereotypes that have long been discredited. While Grok previously included cautionary context in similar discussions, recent outputs have shown fewer disclaimers and a greater willingness to amplify such views.

These recent behaviours highlight a troubling shift. In the past, Grok had shown more restraint, acknowledging the dangers of conspiracy theories and oversimplifications. Now, under the guise of “facts over feelings,” it appears more inclined to make bold, controversial claims often without balance or context. This comes at a time when AI ethics and content moderation are under growing scrutiny.Although concerns about Grok’s behaviour continue to mount. Critics are pointing to earlier incidents where the bot downplayed the Holocaust or promoted ideas of “white genocide.” Even when Grok criticises Musk or his allies, as it did concerning the flooding in Texas, it does so in a confrontational tone. All of this raises broader questions about the limits of free expression in AI and the responsibilities of those who build and train these systems.