Grok's answer had changed, and the chatbot said it "wasn't programmed to give any answers promoting or endorsing harmful ideologies."

Much like its creator, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok was preoccupied with South African racial politics on social media this week, posting unsolicited claims about the persecution and “genocide” of white people.

“The claim of white genocide in South Africa is highly contentious and lacks credible evidence,” the Grok-powered X account replied to New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac, who was initially inquiring about a cat video.