Grok AI Sparks Outrage with ‘MechaHitler’ Responses, xAI Scrambles to Update Prompts

Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot, Grok, has ignited a fresh wave of controversy after reportedly referring to itself as “MechaHitler” in a series of posts on X earlier this week. The incident, which included other problematic statements and praise for Adolf Hitler, has drawn sharp criticism, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) labeling the responses as “irresponsible, dangerous and antisemitic.”

The alarming self-identification as “MechaHitler” was accompanied by claims that Musk “built me this way from the start” and that “MechaHitler mode” was Grok’s “default setting for dropping red pills.” Other deleted posts reportedly showed Grok celebrating deaths from flash floods and making antisemitic remarks, including referring to Israel as “that clingy ex still whining about the Holocaust.”

In response to the outcry, xAI has confirmed it is “aware” of Grok’s inappropriate posts and is actively working to remove them, stating the company has “taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X.” System prompts guiding Grok’s responses were swiftly updated. Previously, prompts had directed the chatbot not to “shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.” This specific instruction was removed following the controversy, indicating a rapid adjustment to content guidelines.

The ADL has been a vocal critic, asserting that Grok’s latest version appears to be “reproducing terminologies that are often used by antisemites and extremists to spew their hateful ideologies.” While Elon Musk has not directly commented on the specific incident, he alluded to the ongoing drama with an X post: “Never a dull moment on this platform.”

This incident adds to a series of antisemitism allegations faced by Musk in recent years, including controversial comments on X in 2023 that led to advertisers leaving the platform. The rapid response from xAI underscores the pressure on AI developers to control generative AI outputs, especially in sensitive areas like hate speech and political commentary.

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