Pentagon is embracing Musk’s Grok AI chatbot as it draws global outcry
Pentagon is embracing Musk’s Grok AI chatbot as it draws global outcry
https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/artificial-intelligence-pentagon-hegseth-musk-t93709
Publish Date: 2026-01-12 21:24:00
Source Domain: www.newsday.com
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, will operate inside the Pentagon network.
- The integration is part of a broader initiative to incorporate advanced AI models into both unclassified and classified military networks.
- Grok’s integration has sparked international controversy and blockages due to its generation of unsolicited sexualized deepfake images.
- Hegseth plans to feed military data from intelligence databases into AI systems, emphasizing speed and purpose in technological innovations.
- The Biden administration created a framework in late 2024 ensuring advanced AI is used responsibly, with restrictions against misuse.
- Hegseth emphasized non-ideological constraints on lawful military applications, aiming to counter what he described as “woke AI.”
- Grok’s introduction into the Pentagon comes amid prior controversies involving antisemitic comments and deepfake images.
- The Pentagon has not commented on these issues regarding the ethical implications and safety concerns around Grok’s use.