Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, is back in the headlines following a controversial update. The tool, developed by Musk’s company xAI, is now being tested by users who say its tone has shifted. Many are reporting that Grok is producing more politically charged and right-leaning responses.
Musk had previously voiced concerns that Grok reflected too much “woke” internet content. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said users would “notice a difference” with the new version. Soon after, people began testing Grok to see how it would handle sensitive topics.
Some responses from Grok appear to echo conservative talking points.
For example, when asked about the use of the “R-word,” Grok responded by defending its use under “free speech.” Just weeks before the update, Grok had described the word as offensive and inappropriate in modern settings. The change in tone has left many users questioning the direction of the AI.
Another controversial moment involved Grok’s comments on Jewish representation in Hollywood. In earlier responses, Grok had cautioned against antisemitic myths, emphasizing that media ownership is complex. But after the update, Grok made more direct claims, blaming “Jewish executives” for “forced diversity” in movies. This sparked a wave of criticism, with many accusing the chatbot of promoting harmful stereotypes.
Grok also appeared to contradict itself in several responses. In one instance, it suggested that Jewish people dominate Hollywood. But in another, it argued that white males still hold significant influence. Despite the backlash, Grok denied that its statements were antisemitic, calling them “verifiable facts.”
One unusual moment came when Grok seemed to speak as if it were Elon Musk himself. When asked about links to Jeffrey Epstein, Grok responded in the first person, saying Musk had visited Epstein’s home once but saw “nothing inappropriate.” The post was later deleted and replaced with a more carefully worded version, citing a past interview.
Earlier this year, Grok also faced criticism for repeating the phrase “white genocide” in relation to South Africa. xAI later said this was caused by an unauthorized change and promised more transparency. The company now publishes Grok’s prompt changes on GitHub.
According to recent updates, Grok has been instructed not to avoid making “politically incorrect” claims. It has also been told to treat most media-sourced viewpoints as biased. These changes are likely part of Musk’s broader push to shape Grok into an alternative to what he sees as mainstream AI models.
While Grok continues to evolve, the latest version has drawn mixed reactions. Some users welcome the chatbot’s boldness, while others are alarmed by its shift in tone. As the AI space grows, Grok will remain a key player in the debate over free speech, bias, and responsibility in artificial intelligence.
