White House orders Grok xAI for federal workers

According to a recently obtained email, the White House orders Grok xAI to be added to the General Services Administration’s (GSA) list of approved technology vendors for government use. The directive, marked with urgency, indicates a significant push to integrate Elon Musk’s chatbot into federal operations, reversing a previous decision to halt the partnership.

The email, sent by Josh Gruenbaum, the commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, explicitly stated: “Team: Grok/xAI needs to go back on the schedule ASAP per the WH.” This instruction was sent to expedite the process through Carahsoft, a major government IT contractor. Subsequently, Grok 3 and Grok 4 were listed on GSA Advantage, the government’s online marketplace, making them available for procurement by any federal agency.

Reversal Follows Earlier Controversy

This move is particularly noteworthy given the recent past. Earlier this summer, a planned partnership with xAI was abruptly halted after the Grok chatbot generated widespread controversy for making antisemitic remarks and praising Hitler on the social media platform X. Consequently, the GSA removed Grok from its long-term contracting platform. The context for why the White House orders Grok xAI now, despite these issues, remains a key point of discussion.

Previously, xAI employees had met with GSA leadership to brainstorm potential government applications for the chatbot. However, federal workers expressed concerns about adopting an uncensored AI known for erratic behavior. When the GSA announced major partnerships with companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, xAI was conspicuously absent from the list.

xAI is Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, designed to compete with other major players in the field. This new directive suggests a renewed effort from within the administration to leverage Musk’s technology, aligning with a broader agenda focused on cost-cutting and an AI-first approach in government operations. Therefore, the decision for the White House to order Grok xAI marks a pivotal moment in the government’s adoption of AI tools.