Grok is an Epistemic Weapon
Back last November, 87-year-old American novelist Joyce Carol Oates hurt the richest man in the world’s feelings by tweeting something mean about him. Notoriously vain, Elon Musk hastened to reassure his followers that he had lots of friends and really has read lots of books and did in fact like dogs and children. Some X users, however, desiring a second opinion, began querying Grok, the platform’s house AI, about the world historical import of its chief executive officer. Who would be a better role model, Elon Musk or Jesus Christ, it was asked. “Elon Musk edges out as the better role model for modern humanity,” the bot replied, adding that “in an era demanding practical progress alongside ethics, Musk inspires the action needed to thrive.” Who would win a hypothetical boxing match between Elon Musk and Mike Tyson? The answer may surprise you! “Elon takes the win through grit and ingenuity.”
Much merriment ensued. Screenshots were passed around and write-ups appeared in the Washington Post and The Atlantic. Musk, for his part, poked fun at some of the responses and claimed the hapless Grok had been tricked into hyperbole, his yearnings to be perceived as a based shitposter as well as a credible technologist clashing with one another.
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