logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
30 m

Elon, Inc.: Grok-Generated Chaos, Cybert...

Bloomberg and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

X users might have noticed a new kind of artificial intelligence-generated image proliferating: strange visions of Elon Musk next to Disney characters carrying guns, or Donald Trump in all kinds of, well, weird situations. This was what followed a new release of Musk’s Grok AI tool, which can now make images—unsurprisingly with fewer guardrails than other image-creating machines out there.

On this episode we’ll talk about Grok’s new skillset and also get into the semiotics of the Cybertruck. Initially conceived of as a mass-market truck, it’s slid into another category: marker of a certain kind of right-wing flex, the kind Musk himself has engaged in on his struggling social network. Joining David to discuss is Davey Alba, a Bloomberg technology reporter, along with Max Chafkin and Dana Hull. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 21
Harassment Concerns at Oxford Went Unaddressed for Years
<p>Oxford University has repeatedly been slow to act when confronted with allegations of harassment, assault and inappropriate behavior by male academics, a new Bloomberg investigation has found.</p> <p>Katherine Griffiths, the city editor of Bloomberg&rsquo;s London bureau, spok ... Show More
20m 49s
Nov 20
Nvidia Silences AI Skeptics (For Now)
<p>Nvidia released its third quarter earnings Wednesday, crushing estimates and easing Wall Street&rsquo;s concerns about an AI bubble.</p> <p>On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech&rsquo;s Ed Ludlow sits down with David Gura to discuss his post-earnings interview with ... Show More
18m 17s
Nov 19
The Hot Market for Jobs No One Wants
<p>After a period characterized as &ldquo;low-hire, low-fire,&rdquo; the American labor market is seeing a surge of layoffs from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, UPS and Target. And that&rsquo;s pushing more job applicants towards traditionally less-desirable occupations, like s ... Show More
14m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
How Elon Musk Pulled X Back From the Brink
After years of trying to revive his flailing social media company, Elon Musk has pulled off a turnaround at X. It comes after Musk decided to merge X with his artificial intelligence company xAI. The deal values the combined business at over $100 billion. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy e ... Show More
17m 17s
Jul 2025
Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue
Last week, Grok went rogue. The AI chatbot – which users can interact with on X – posted antisemitic comments and graphic descriptions of violence before being deactivated, leaving users with a question: Where were Grok’s guardrails? WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy breaks down what happen ... Show More
21m 52s
Oct 2024
Musk Unveils Tesla’s Robotaxi but Offers Few Details
Tesla’s robotaxi excited fans at a splashy event who are betting the company’s future is in robotics. But those watching online seemed underwhelmed, and investors were frustrated by the lack of details provided by CEO Elon Musk about the rollout of the company’s driverless cab. W ... Show More
13m 11s
Jun 2025
What's behind the Donald Trump and Elon Musk break-up?
From mutual admiration to a fierce public blow-up. The short-lived alliance between US president Donald Trump and Elon Musk appears to have come to a dramatic end. The two men have been trading accusations, threats and insults. What's behind the break-up? And why does it matter? ... Show More
24m 59s
Jan 2025
De Musk à Zuckerberg, pourquoi les patrons de la tech se sont-ils convertis au trumpisme ?
Que se passe-t-il dans la tête des géants de la tech&nbsp;? Jeff Bezos, <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/live/2025/01/09/pourquoi-les-regles-d-utilisation-de-facebook-et-d-instagram-changent-et-quelles-consequences-pour-les-utilisateurs_6489324_4408996.html" rel="noopener n ... Show More
23m 31s
Nov 2024
Elon Musk Launches Into American Politics
<p>After single-handedly remaking the auto industry, social media and the global space race, Elon Musk is now turning his attention, and personal fortune, to politics.</p><p>Over the past few months, he became one of the most influential figures in the race for president, and on ... Show More
28m 43s
Jun 2025
Are Trump and Musk Done for Good?
The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk - Elon Musk’ ... Show More
19m 59s
Apr 2022
When Will the Ukraine War End? (Plus: 10 Good Minutes on What the Hell Elon Musk Is Doing With Twitter)
On today's show, we start with Ten Good Minutes on the extremely funny and very chaotic saga of Elon Musk vs. Twitter. Last week, Musk bought enough Twitter shares to become the company's largest individual shareholder. Then, Twitter announced that Musk would become a board membe ... Show More
57m 30s
Oct 2024
Meet Optimus, the robot Elon Musk wants to look after your kids
<p>Elon Musk has introduced Optimus, Tesla’s new humanoid robots, to the world and has made some ambitious claims about their uses in the not-too-distant future.</p> <p>Viral videos of Optimus robots making drinks, dancing and chatting to attendees at the launch event have sparke ... Show More
15m 33s