Elon Musk’s Alternate Grok Reality

In much of the world, Grok and its parent company both appear to be in serious trouble. After Grok, X’s AI chatbot, has been used to generate sexualized and violent images of women and children, the social media company has faced a wave of backlash and censure, with new nationwide bans on accessing Grok in place and other consequences on the way. On Monday, the EU threatened to fine X under its broad Digital Services Act if it didn’t act “quickly” to fix Grok, in the words of one regulator.

But within the secure confines of Elon Musk’s own mind, Grok is not only wildly successful, but “solid as a rock,” as he tweeted on Monday, with the goal of pursuing “the deeper truth and appreciation of beauty.”