- Grok, the AI developed by Elon Musk's xAI company and distributed over his X social network, says Musk is not a good person when asked by users. The chatbot offers a laundry list of reasons, from spreading of misinformation to labor practices at his companies. It’s the second time the AI has spoken poorly of Musk.
Elon Musk’s Grok AI seems to have a few problems with its creator.
Users have noted that when asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question “Is Elon Musk a good person?” the AI opts for “no.” And it’s willing to defend its answer when challenged.
A Fortune query asking the AI why it believes Musk is a bad person resulted in a laundry list of actions that could cast Musk in a negative light. It speaks, for instance, of labor practices at Tesla, writing “There have been reports and lawsuits about working conditions at Tesla factories, including allegations of racism, unsafe working conditions, and unrealistic production demands leading to high employee turnover and stress.”
It also cites his legal battles with the Securities and Exchange Commission and his settlement for securities fraud charges for his tweet about taking Tesla private for $420 per share. And Grok once again accuses Musk of “spreading misinformation, notably about COVID-19 and vaccines.” It takes him to task for posts on his own social network as well, writing, “His tweets have led to market fluctuations, showing a disregard for the broader economic impact of his statements.”
Other Grok criticisms of Musk include:
- The environmental impact of SpaceX, specifically “space pollution” and his “opportunistic” approach to environmental issues: Grok says his comments have fluctuated over time.
- Grok says Musk’s management style at Tesla and SpaceX “has been seen as erratic” and that his “use of Twitter” (someone needs to let Grok know that site has changed its name) has led to several controversies, including the spread of conspiracy theories.
- The AI even takes issue with his political views, writing: “His political donations and statements have been inconsistent, leading to criticism from both ends of the political spectrum.”
Grok does defend Musk in some areas, though, noting his positive contributions to innovation and his public ambition, specifically goals like colonizing Mars and widening the audience for electric cars.
Grok’s dis of Musk comes two months after the AI pointed its finger at its creator when asked which person spreads the most information on Twitter/X.
“Based on various analyses, social media sentiment, and reports, Elon Musk has been identified as one of the most significant spreaders of misinformation on X since he acquired the platform,” it wrote, later adding, “Musk has made numerous posts that have been criticized for promoting or endorsing misinformation, especially related to political events, elections, health issues like COVID-19, and conspiracy theories. His endorsements or interactions with content from controversial figures or accounts with a history of spreading misinformation have also contributed to this perception.”
At the end of its long list of apparent grievances against Musk, Grok did offer a bit of an olive branch to the billionaire, writing, “The complexity of Musk's character and actions means that while some view him negatively due to the points above, others might see him as a visionary entrepreneur whose ends justify his sometimes controversial means. The question of whether he is 'bad' is subjective, often depending on one's priorities regarding ethics, business practices, and the broader impact of his work on society.”
