Current:Home > ScamsSecretaries of state urge Elon Musk to fix AI chatbot spreading election misinformation on X -StockSource
Secretaries of state urge Elon Musk to fix AI chatbot spreading election misinformation on X
View
Date:2025-04-14 17:42:50
CHICAGO (AP) — Five secretaries of state are urging Elon Musk to fix an AI chatbot on the social media platform X, saying in a letter sent Monday that it has spread election misinformation.
The top election officials from Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington told Musk that X’s AI chatbot, Grok, produced false information about state ballot deadlines shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
While Grok is available only to subscribers to the premium versions of X, the misinformation was shared across multiple social media platforms and reached millions of people, according to the letter. The bogus ballot deadline information from the chatbot also referenced Alabama, Indiana, Ohio and Texas, although their secretaries of state did not sign the letter. Grok continued to repeat the false information for 10 days before it was corrected, the secretaries said.
The letter urged X to immediately fix the chatbot “to ensure voters have accurate information in this critical election year.” That would include directing Grok to send users to CanIVote.org, a voting information website run by the National Association of Secretaries of State, when asked about U.S. elections.
“In this presidential election year, it is critically important that voters get accurate information on how to exercise their right to vote,” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a statement. “Voters should reach out to their state or local election officials to find out how, when, and where they can vote.”
X did not respond to a request for comment.
Grok debuted last year for X premium and premium plus subscribers and was touted by Musk as a “rebellious” AI chatbot that will answer “spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems.”
Social media platforms have faced mounting scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, including about elections. The letter also warned that inaccuracies are to be expected for AI products, especially chatbots such as Grok that are based on large language models.
“As tens of millions of voters in the U.S. seek basic information about voting in this major election year, X has the responsibility to ensure all voters using your platform have access to guidance that reflects true and accurate information about their constitutional right to vote,” the secretaries wrote in the letter.
Since Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it to X, watchdog groups have raised concerns over a surge in hate speech and misinformation being amplified on the platform, as well as the reduction of content moderation teams, elimination of misinformation features and censoring of journalists critical of Musk.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Stay informed. Keep your pulse on the news with breaking news email alerts. Sign up here.
Experts say the moves represent a regression from progress made by social media platforms attempting to better combat political disinformation after the 2016 U.S. presidential contest and could precipitate a worsening misinformation landscape ahead of this year’s November elections.
___
The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Woman sues dentist after 4 root canals, 8 dental crowns and 20 fillings in a single visit
- How recent ‘swatting’ calls targeting officials may prompt heavier penalties for hoax police calls
- Deutsche Bank pledges nearly $5 million to help combat human trafficking in New Mexico
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Trump back on ballot in Colorado while state Republicans appeal ban to Supreme Court
- What stores are open and closed for New Year’s Eve 2023? See hours for Walmart, Target, CVS and more
- Israel bombs refugee camps in central Gaza, residents say, as Netanyahu repeats insistence that Hamas be destroyed
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Country star Jon Pardi explains why he 'retired' from drinking: 'I was so unhappy'
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Cher Files for Conservatorship of Son Elijah Blue Allman
- Rivers remain high in parts of northern and central Europe after heavy rain
- You Might've Missed This How the Grinch Stole Christmas Editing Error
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Meadow Walker Announces Separation From Husband Louis Thornton-Allan After 2 Years of Marriage
- Von Miller speaks for first time since arrest, says nothing that was alleged was true
- Taylor Swift fan died of heat exhaustion, forensic report reveals. Know the warning signs.
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
More states extend health coverage to immigrants even as issue inflames GOP
North Korea's Kim Jong Un preparing for war − citing 'unprecedented' US behavior
Displaced Palestinians flood a southern Gaza town as Israel expands its offensive in the center
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Workers in New England states looking forward to a bump up in minimum wages in 2024
AP Week in Pictures: North America
What are the Dry January rules? What to know if you're swearing off alcohol in 2024.