(Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Something new is coming to Teslas' dashboards, and it’s not support for Android Auto or CarPlay. Instead, the EV automaker will add the AI chatbot that two days ago referred to itself as MechaHitler during a flurry of antisemitic replies on X before getting sent back to the shop for some hasty reprogramming.
After Tesla investor and advocate Sawyer Merritt wrapped up a series of posts about Musk’s livestream unveiling the new Grok 4 AI with the observation “No mention of Grok coming to Tesla vehicles,” Musk replied, “Grok is coming to Tesla vehicles very soon. Next week at the latest.”
Tesla owners would be advised to take that claim with a grain of salt, given Musk’s long history of overpromising on matters such as a cheaper EV and fully autonomous driving. Jokes at Musk’s expense, however, take much less time to ship. And Bluesky users, many with a history of roasting companies they see as clueless, piled on:
nothing but hard right turns from now on
[image or embed]— Bruno J. Navarro (@brunojnavarro.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Owners may notice a few minor initial issues, such as the route guidance setting the default destination as Poland, but we expect these to resolve quickly.
[image or embed]— The Questionable Authority (@questauthority.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
"Ok Grok, turn left." "Left, huh? Can't help but notice your last name is Goldberg. Curious..."
[image or embed]— Laserpferd (@laserpferd.dtun.de) July 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Grok’s past episodes of going on weird racist tangents instead of answering questions put to it also came up:
Grok recites misrepresented crime statistics at you while the Tesla sinks below the surface of the lake it careened into
[image or embed]— ACAB Rave (@screw-reality.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Others suggested a Grok-driven Tesla would offer to run over Tesla Takedown protesters or take a driver with a Hispanic last name for an ICE checkup.
Grok: There is a group of people over there protesting Tesla. Shall I run them over?— Dean Booth 🦆🐇 (@deanbooth.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Ms. Sanchez: “Tesla, you missed a turn. What’s going on?” Grok: “Hola, Ms. Sanchez. We're just taking a slight detour to the nearest ICE detention center to review your legal status. Have a wonderful day.”— Unfriendly Goose (@uglygoose.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Meanwhile, multiple critics noted that the giant Memphis, Tenn., data center X built to run Grok runs on fossil-fuel methane gas, to the dismay of neighbors stuck breathing its exhaust fumes.
Tesla is actually late to the notion of putting an AI chatbot in dashboards: Volkswagen is rolling out ChatGPT integration, while General Motors and Mercedes-Benz have already begun exploring the idea.