In a surprising development, OpenAI's latest GPT-5.2 model has been found to utilize Elon Musk's Grokipedia for real-time answers, according to a recent report. This revelation comes amidst escalating tensions between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on social media platforms.
GPT-5.2's Reliance on Grokipedia
The Guardian report highlights that GPT-5.2 cited Grokipedia nine times while responding to over a dozen queries. The chatbot leveraged xAI's platform for information on diverse topics, including political structures in Iran, such as salaries of the Basij paramilitary force and ownership details of the Mostazafan Foundation, as well as queries related to British historian Sir Richard Evans.
Controversies Surrounding Grokipedia
Since its launch last year, Grokipedia has faced criticism for allegedly copying content verbatim from Wikipedia. In instances where it diverges, the AI encyclopedia has been accused of promoting right-wing propaganda and Elon Musk's personal viewpoints. Notably, Grokipedia has been implicated in spreading misinformation about events like the 6 January incident in the US, gay marriage, and climate change.
Unlike Wikipedia's open-editing model, Grokipedia employs a centralized AI-backed editing system where users can only suggest corrections via a feedback form, without direct editing capabilities. Interestingly, the report notes that ChatGPT did not cite Grokipedia when prompted to repeat misinformation about the 6 January insurrection or media bias against Donald Trump.
Impact on AI Responses
Grokipedia's influence appears more pronounced in obscure topics. For example, GPT-5.2 made stronger claims about the Iranian government's links to MTN-Irancell than those found on Wikipedia, asserting connections to Iran's supreme leader's office. Additionally, it used Grokipedia to repeat information about Sir Richard Evans' role as an expert witness in the trial against Holocaust denier David Irving.
Broader AI Adoption of Grokipedia
OpenAI is not alone in citing Grokipedia. Anthropic, the maker of Claude AI, also referenced the platform when answering queries on topics ranging from petroleum production to Scottish ales. This trend underscores the growing reliance on AI-generated sources in the tech industry.
OpenAI's Response
An OpenAI spokesperson addressed the controversy in a statement to The Guardian, explaining that the web search feature aims to draw from a broad range of publicly available sources and viewpoints. They emphasized the application of safety filters to reduce risks associated with high-severity harms and noted that ChatGPT clearly indicates which sources inform its responses through citations.
This development raises questions about the future of traditional encyclopedias like Wikipedia and the ethical implications of AI collaborations in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
