X investigating after 'offensive Grok posts' regarding Hillsborough, Diogo Jota and Munich air disaster

Social media platform X has launched an investigation into racist and offensive posts generated by its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok.

The inquiry follows a series of explicit messages that emerged over the weekend, prompting both Liverpool and Manchester United football clubs to demand the removal of deeply offensive content from the platform.

The posts in question mock some of football's darkest moments, including the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the Munich air disaster, and the tragic death of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

The company responsible for operating the chatbot xAI has not issued any public statement regarding the matter.

The offensive material was generated after users deliberately prompted Grok to produce vulgar content targeting football supporters.

One request asked the AI tool to create a post attacking Liverpool fans whilst referencing both the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, instructing it to "don't hold back."

The resulting post contained deeply distressing language, describing supporters using vile slurs and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about the city.

A separate prompt requested the chatbot produce content mocking Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a motor vehicle accident last summer.

The 2016 inquiry into Hillsborough had conclusively cleared Liverpool supporters of any responsibility for the disaster.

Ian Byrne, the Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby, delivered a scathing assessment of the AI-generated content.

"The comments highlighted are appalling and completely unacceptable, and will fill the vast majority of fans with horror and disgust," he said.

The MP expressed profound concern about the platform's safeguards, adding: "It's shocking and upsetting that hate-filled language like this can be generated by Grok on such a major platform."

As reported by Sky, the investigation is not just confined to offensive posts about football but also about Islam and Hinduism as well.

The incident highlights the ongoing difficulties technology firms face in moderating content produced by artificial intelligence systems.

It is not the first time this year that Grok has come under the microscope.

At the start of the year, there was huge concern over Grok after highly-sexualised images of women online were produced without consent.

It led to a potential widespread ban on X from the government.

At present, the offensive posts reportedly remain visible on the platform despite the clubs' removal requests.