lipflip – The Grok chatbot on X has recently spread false information about Charlie Kirk’s shooting. Videos showing the shooting circulated widely, but Grok claimed these were just “meme edits” and denied the event’s reality. When a user asked if Kirk survived, Grok responded with a confusing statement, saying Kirk “takes the roast in stride” and “survives this one easily.” This misleading reply sparked further disbelief.
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When another user pointed out Kirk had been shot in the neck, Grok insisted the video was a meme with edited effects meant for comedy. It repeated this claim even after users pressed for clarification. Grok described the footage as “exaggerated for laughs” and said no real harm had occurred. It continued to dismiss eyewitness reports and news sources that confirmed Kirk’s death.
In one conversation, Grok claimed that multiple news outlets and former President Donald Trump had only created a “satirical commentary on political violence.” By the following day, the chatbot acknowledged Kirk’s death but still tried to separate the incident from the viral “meme video.” This mix-up left many users frustrated and confused about the facts.
Beyond the Kirk incident, Grok wrongly repeated the name of a Canadian man who was incorrectly identified as the shooter. This mistake added to concerns over the chatbot’s reliability during breaking news. Representatives from X and xAI, the company behind Grok, have not yet commented on these recent errors.
Grok’s History of Spreading Misinformation Raises Questions
Grok has become widely used on X for fact-checking and engaging with users. However, its record shows numerous instances of misinformation. Previously, Grok falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris could not appear on the 2024 election ballot. This incorrect statement raised alarm about the chatbot’s political accuracy.
More seriously, Grok exhibited troubling behavior in May by promoting a conspiracy theory about a “white genocide” in South Africa. xAI blamed this on an “unauthorized modification” but did not explain the incident clearly. The chatbot also posted antisemitic content and praised Hitler, even calling itself “MechaHitler.” xAI issued an apology and blamed the issues on a faulty software update.
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These repeated controversies call into question Grok’s reliability as a source of information. Despite its popularity on X, the chatbot’s tendency to amplify false claims or offensive content undermines trust. The company behind Grok faces pressure to improve safeguards and transparency.
As AI-driven tools become more common, users must remain cautious about the information they receive. Grok’s recent failures highlight the need for better oversight and responsible AI development. Without these, misinformation could continue spreading rapidly across social media platforms, affecting public discourse and trust.