Ensuring accurate information is crucial as we approach the elections.
Five secretaries of state are urging Elon Musk to address issues with the AI chatbot on the social media platform X. In a letter sent Monday, they claimed the chatbot, Grok, spread incorrect information about state ballot deadlines following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. The officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington are seeking corrections to prevent further misinformation.
Although Grok is accessible only to X’s premium subscribers, the misinformation it spread was shared widely across various social media platforms, reaching millions. The incorrect ballot deadline information from the chatbot also mentioned Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas, though the secretaries of state from these states did not sign the letter. The secretaries reported that Grok continued to disseminate the false information for 10 days before it was corrected.
The letter urged X to promptly correct the chatbot to ensure voters receive accurate information during this crucial election year. Specifically, it recommended directing Grok to guide users to CanIVote.org, a voting information site managed by the National Association of Secretaries of State, when inquiries about U.S. elections arise.
“In this presidential election year, it’s crucial that voters receive accurate information on how to exercise their voting rights,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon in a statement. “Voters should contact their state or local election officials to learn about how, when, and where they can vote.”
X did not respond to a request for comment.
Grok, introduced last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers, was promoted by Musk as a “rebellious” AI chatbot designed to tackle “spicy questions” often avoided by other AI systems.
Social media platforms have come under increasing scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, particularly regarding elections. The letter also cautioned that inaccuracies are common in AI products, especially chatbots like Grok that rely on large language models.
“With tens of millions of U.S. voters seeking essential voting information during this significant election year, X has a duty to ensure that all users have access to accurate guidance about their constitutional voting rights,” the secretaries stated in the letter.
Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, watchdog groups have expressed concerns about an increase in hate speech and misinformation on the platform. They have also noted the reduction in content moderation teams, the removal of misinformation features, and the censorship of journalists who are critical of Musk.
Experts argue that these actions signify a setback from the advancements social media platforms had made in addressing political disinformation since the 2016 U.S. presidential election. They warn that this could lead to an increase in misinformation as the November elections approach this year.