In response to concerns about election misinformation, X (formerly known as Twitter) has updated its AI chatbot, Grok, to guide users seeking election information to official government resources. This change comes after election officials from five states—Minnesota, New Mexico, Michigan, Washington, and Pennsylvania—raised alarms over Grok spreading inaccurate details about voting deadlines. The chatbot will now direct users to Vote.gov for reliable and up-to-date election information.

The adjustment was made after a letter was sent to X owner Elon Musk, highlighting the widespread misinformation that Grok had already disseminated, potentially reaching millions before corrections were made. The officials expressed their appreciation for X’s response but emphasized the ongoing need for accurate information as the 2024 election approaches.

Despite this update, Grok retains its ability to generate AI images related to the election, which has already sparked controversy by creating misleading depictions of political figures. Additionally, X had previously removed the option for some users to report posts containing electoral misinformation, a move that continues to raise concerns among those advocating for secure and transparent elections.

As X continues to evolve its platform, the balance between innovation and the responsibility to prevent misinformation will be critical, particularly in such a pivotal election year.