State Secretaries Demand Stop to False Info Spread by Grok Chatbot

An AI chatbot named Grok, associated with the social media platform X, has been accused of disseminating false information regarding Vice President Kamala Harris's eligibility for the 2024 U.S. presidential ballot. This allegation comes from an open letter signed by five secretaries of state, including Minnesota's Steve Simon, who addressed the issue directly to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X. The letter calls for immediate changes to Grok to ensure voters receive accurate information during this critical election year. The controversy began shortly after President Joe Biden announced he would suspend his presidential campaign. Grok reportedly claimed that ballot deadlines had passed in nine states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, which was misleading. In reality, these deadlines had not yet expired. The misinformation quickly spread across the platform, reaching millions before it was corrected on July 31. Despite Grok being available only to X Premium subscribers and including a disclaimer urging users to verify information, the false claims about ballot deadlines were widely shared. The secretaries of state expressed concern over the potential impact of such misinformation on voters, emphasizing the need for accurate information in the electoral process. Musk has faced criticism for X's handling of political discourse and misinformation, particularly after significant cuts to the moderation staff. Although X had announced plans to establish a new trust and safety center, reports indicate that the hiring of moderators fell short of expectations, raising further questions about the platform's commitment to fact-checking and user safety.