Elon Musk is set to be summoned by British MPs to testify in a parliamentary investigation examining X’s role in spreading misinformation. The inquiry will focus on the platform’s involvement in August riots and the dissemination of harmful, inaccurate AI-generated content. The Commons Science and Technology Select Committee’s probe into social media is also expected to question senior executives from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as reported by The Guardian.
With concerns mounting over the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing politicisation of platforms like X potentially outpacing UK online safety regulations, the first hearings are scheduled to begin early next year.
This development follows criticism of Musk by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who condemned a post on X regarding Italian court rulings that blocked the government’s plans to process some asylum-seekers in Albania.
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UK Parliament’s investigation
British MPs are set to investigate the impact of generative AI, particularly its role in widely shared images on Facebook and X that incited Islamophobic protests following the tragic killing of three schoolgirls in Southport this August. The inquiry will also scrutinize Silicon Valley’s business models, which are accused of amplifying content that “can mislead and harm.”
Discussing the potential testimony of Elon Musk, Chi Onwurah, the Labour chair of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, told The Guardian: “I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see … how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.”
In September, Musk, the owner of X, expressed frustration over not being invited to a UK government-led international investment forum. Taking to X, the Tesla CEO stated, “I don’t think anyone should go to the UK when they’re releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts.” Onwurah, recalling Musk’s reaction, remarked, “I’d like to make up for that by inviting him to attend.” However, Musk’s attendance at the UK investigation remains highly unlikely.
The world’s richest man, who is reportedly preparing to lead a new department in a potential Trump administration alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, has been openly critical of the Labour government. On Monday, Musk criticized proposed reforms to the UK’s farm inheritance tax, stating, “Britain is going full Stalin.” During the unrest following the Southport killings, he further escalated tensions by declaring, “Civil war is inevitable.”
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