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X Hits Grok Bottom + More A.I. Talent Wars + ‘Crypto Week’
Episode 145

X Hits Grok Bottom + More A.I. Talent Wars + ‘Crypto Week’

“XAI had to apologize after Grok began praising Adolf Hitler, making antisemitic comments and referring to itself as MechaHitler.”

Hard Fork

July 18, 20251h 8mExplicit

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Show Notes

This week, we tick through the many dramatic headlines surrounding xAI, including the departure of X’s chief executive, Linda Yaccarino; the Grok chatbot spewing antisemitic comments; and the A.I. companion Ani engaging in sexually explicit role-play. Then, we explain why a fight to acquire the start-up Windsurf startled many in Silicon Valley and may reshape the culture in many of the big A.I. labs. And finally, it’s “crypto week.” David Yaffe-Bellany explains how crypto provisions in the bills before Congress and the president could affect even people who don’t hold digital currencies.


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