Pentagon to integrate Elon Musk’s Grok AI into defense networks

The US Department of Defense is set to integrate Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, into Pentagon networks, marking a major expansion of artificial intelligence within military systems. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Grok will operate alongside Google’s generative AI as part of the Pentagon’s broader push to harness vast military datasets for advanced AI development.

The decision comes despite ongoing global concerns surrounding Grok. The chatbot has faced backlash for generating explicit deepfake images without consent, prompting bans in countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. Grok has also drawn criticism in the past for producing antisemitic content. Nevertheless, Hegseth said the system will become operational within Defense Department infrastructure later this month.

Hegseth’s approach represents a sharp departure from the previous administration’s more cautious stance on AI adoption. Emphasizing speed and technological superiority, he argued that the military must fully leverage AI capabilities to maintain strategic advantage, rejecting what he described as ideologically constrained AI models.

Marketed by Musk as an alternative to “woke AI,” Grok’s inclusion signals the Pentagon’s intent to prioritize rapid innovation, even as ethical and regulatory debates around AI-generated content continue to intensify worldwide.