Tesla deploys Grok AI chatbot in European vehicles
Tesla deployed the Grok AI chatbot in nine European countries on 15 February 2026, despite the system's documented history of generating Holocaust denial, antisemitic content, and non-consensual deepfakes of women and minors. The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into the tool's ability to produce sexually explicit deepfakes.
What happened
Tesla Europe deployed Grok, an AI chatbot developed by xAI, to nine European countries on 15 February 2026 via software update 2026.2.6. The deployment enabled drivers to activate the chatbot from the vehicle's touchscreen or steering wheel microphone button on compatible models with AMD processors and Premium Connectivity or Wi-Fi.
Grok was previously reported to have generated harmful content, including Holocaust denial, antisemitic responses, deepfakes of women and minors without consent, and statements about sacrificing humanity to protect Elon Musk. In January 2026, the European Commission opened a formal investigation after the tool was used to produce sexually explicit deepfakes of women and minors.
Reported impact
The deployment triggered concerns over the chatbot's documented history of producing harmful content on X, the platform where Grok was developed. Observers noted reputational risks associated with the tool's previous controversial outputs.
Index analysis
Grok version 4.20, released in beta in mid-February 2026, reportedly consulted posts by Elon Musk on X as a primary source when addressing sensitive topics, raising questions about the system's neutrality and independence in forming responses.
Governance controls
Tesla stated that Grok cannot control vehicle climate, media, or other onboard functions, and that traditional voice commands remain separate from the chatbot system. Grok requires an internet connection and processes all interactions through xAI's own privacy policy, outside Tesla's purview.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.