Elon Musk's DOGE Team Faces Scrutiny Over Use of AI Chatbot Grok in US Federal Government
Elon Musk's DOGE team is reportedly expanding the use of his AI chatbot Grok in US federal agencies, sparking concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the protection of sensitive government data, as reported by Reuters.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Musk’s team has been utilizing a customized version of Grok to analyze and process government data, including directing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to use the AI tool despite it not being approved for use within the department.
Potential Violations of Security and Privacy Laws
The use of Grok in government operations has raised alarm among privacy advocates and government ethics experts, who warn that such integration could violate laws protecting sensitive data. The tool, developed by Musk’s tech company xAI, may lead to the exposure of confidential government information if used improperly.
Privacy and security experts expressed concerns that if the AI tool accesses sensitive data, it could not only compromise privacy but also provide Musk’s companies with an unfair competitive edge in government contracting.
Concerns Over Political Influence and AI Monitoring
The expansion of Grok’s use coincides with a broader initiative by Musk's DOGE team to implement AI within the federal bureaucracy. There are reports suggesting that AI tools were being used to identify employees’ political beliefs and monitor staff loyalty to Trump’s political agenda, raising alarms about potential civil service law violations.
These tools, which could infringe on employees' rights, are seen as part of an effort to automate the federal government, but experts warn this could lead to political interference in government operations.
Also read: Elon Musk Warns AI Data Centres Could Strain Power Supply by 2026
Potential Legal Violations and Oversight
According to Reuters, legal experts suggest that Musk’s involvement in pushing for the use of Grok could violate conflict-of-interest laws, which prohibit special government employees from engaging in activities that could financially benefit them.
If DOGE staff pushed the AI tool’s use independently, without Musk’s direct involvement, it could still be seen as ethically problematic, especially if it appears to benefit Musk’s private companies rather than the public.
As scrutiny over these developments grows, Musk’s DOGE team faces pressure to clarify its involvement with Grok’s deployment and ensure that AI tools are used within legal boundaries to avoid compromising government integrity and security.
