Elon Musk’s relationship with the political left has been contentious for some time, but the situation is only set to worsen as his influence continues to grow. As a billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Tesla, Musk has now aligned himself with former President Donald Trump, exacerbating the left’s disdain for him.
Musk’s involvement in artificial intelligence presents a long-term challenge for liberals who not only seek to control historical narratives but also influence the political landscape moving forward. Much like his acquisition of Twitter, which disrupted the left’s dominance over social media, his expanding role in AI threatens to undermine their control over this emerging field of technology.
The Biden administration, alongside the Democratic establishment, is not sitting idly by as Musk’s political positioning grows stronger. Recent reports from The New York Times reveal that Musk’s various ventures are under scrutiny, with at least 20 investigations into his businesses, ranging from Tesla’s safety to environmental concerns regarding his rockets.
Musk faces backlash from liberals, but his influence in tech and politics only intensifies
Many of these inquiries seem absurd, such as the FAA’s delay of a rocket test due to a nearby bird’s nest disturbance, despite the U.S. facing stiff competition from China to return astronauts to the moon.
Musk’s businesses have also faced legal challenges, such as a lawsuit accusing SpaceX of illegal discrimination for hiring only U.S. citizens or green card holders, despite its sensitive government contracts. The left’s outrage is further fueled by Musk’s decision to buy Twitter and champion free speech, as well as his creation of electric vehicles, which ironically align with climate change goals, even though they were made with non-union labor.
Additionally, Musk has taken to X to criticize government actions, such as the FCC’s revocation of nearly $900 million in funds meant to provide internet access to rural areas through SpaceX’s Starlink, which Musk claims could have saved lives in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene.
Liberals’ anger toward Musk is likely to intensify as they realize that he could be the major obstacle to their control over what artificial intelligence teaches future generations about U.S. history and economics.
Musk’s growing investment in AI may prevent progressives from establishing a monopoly on shaping historical narratives, particularly those that depict America through a lens of systemic racism and oppression.
Musk is currently developing his own AI firm, xAI, which recently secured $5 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to $50 billion. The company’s flagship product, Grok, launched in late 2023, is designed to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but parted ways with it after a falling out with its CEO, Sam Altman.
Now, Musk is building a data center in Tennessee and acquiring Nvidia chips to power his AI models. While he may be a relative newcomer to the field, his track record in rocketry, electric vehicles, and satellite communications suggests that he is poised to be a significant player in AI.
Just as Twitter became a serious competitor to Meta and TikTok for news and information, xAI is expected to offer a distinctly different perspective on global events and their implications. This is not mere speculation. Critics have pointed out that AI, including ChatGPT, tends to lean left politically, with the company acknowledging the bias and working to correct it.
A study from several universities last year found that AI is inherently prone to political bias due to the sources used for training and the influence of human creators. Given the leftward tilt of most academic materials, it’s likely that AI models will reflect that bias, making it difficult to achieve neutrality.
Musk’s involvement in AI could help balance out these biases. An article in MIT Technology Review highlighted how AI’s inherent bias could affect sectors like healthcare, where a chatbot might refuse to offer advice on controversial topics like abortion. Just as Twitter allowed for diverse political views, xAI may offer users an alternative perspective on the world.
Musk’s career has led him to oppose government overreach, especially as bureaucratic red tape often hampers innovation. His frustrations with government interference have fueled his advocacy for limited government.
By working alongside Vivek Ramaswamy to co-manage the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk is taking action to shrink the federal bureaucracy. Through his various initiatives, Musk is not only pushing for accountability within government but is also dedicated to protecting free speech and truth.
His upcoming launch of the third version of the Grok language model in December is expected to make xAI the most powerful AI system in the world. This ambitious goal is one that many hope will live up to its promise. Liz Peek is a former partner at Wertheim and Company, a prominent Wall Street firm.
