Elon Musk’s new online encyclopedia, Grokipedia, is actively promoting conspiracy theories and right-wing talking points, particularly in its entry on the January 6 Capitol insurrection. The AI-generated article attacks “mainstream accounts” for their coverage.
The entry claims that “mainstream accounts” have amplified “casualty figures and intent beyond forensic evidence,” a line used to minimize the violence of the attack. It also cites the debunked lie of “widespread claims of voting irregularities.”
The encyclopedia, “fact-checked” only by Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, frames the insurrection as a “legitimate expression of grievances” against “perceived electoral flaws.” This narrative aligns with Musk’s personal right-wing views and his stated opposition to Wikipedia.
Musk has frequently attacked Wikipedia for citing outlets like the New York Times and NPR. Grokipedia, which has no human authors, is his attempt to create a rival information source that he controls.
This AI-controlled “truth” is already proving to be inaccurate. Critics have pointed to other entries, such as one falsely linking pornography to the Aids epidemic, as proof that the platform is unreliable and pushing misinformation.