(OPINION) What happens when the world’s richest man introduces a new AI tool that some users say has a satanic symbol?
Elon Musk’s xAI, which made its Grok AI chatbot available for free to all users last month, has been the topic of discussion among X users who have suggested its logo resembles an upside-down broken cross.
The chatbot, part of Elon Musk’s broader xAI initiative, was made free to all users in December. While separate from the X platform itself, Grok AI falls under the X Corp. branding and leverages insights from the platform formerly known as Twitter.
So, how did it end up with its current logo?
Oh snap, he finally changed the Grok icon to the XAi logo with the toppled, broken cross. Say hello to your friendly “antichrist” everyone.
Things are moving along nicely for the False Prophet. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PMoEfB3xlZ
— OccupyHeaven777 (@occupyheaven777) January 3, 2025
After two initial versions, Grok — a word which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as “to understand intuitively or by empathy, to establish rapport with” — debuted a new logo in December, which immediately drew scrutiny for its resemblance to a cross snapped in half and broken off to the side.
When asked why its new logo resembles a broken cross, the Grok chatbot told CP Thursday the symbol can be viewed as a “design choice” that symbolizes “non-conformity” and “rebellion against dogma.”
Oh snap, he finally changed the Grok icon to the XAi logo with the toppled, broken cross. Say hello to your friendly “antichrist” everyone.
Things are moving along nicely for the False Prophet. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PMoEfB3xlZ
— OccupyHeaven777 (@occupyheaven777) January 3, 2025
“In some contexts, a broken cross might be reminiscent of historical or cultural artifacts where crosses are depicted as broken to signify defeat, change, or transformation,” Grok stated.
“Here, it might imply that Grok aims to transform or evolve the way AI interacts with humans.”
However, when asked the same query a second time, Grok denied the icon was a broken cross, saying it’s “actually a stylized representation of a brain, symbolizing intelligence and thought. …
The Grok logo is literally a cross snapped in half. pic.twitter.com/EU7zqQAy8w
— blooming iris (@lisacam60629063) January 16, 2025
The lines and curves in the icon are meant to evoke the complexity and connectivity of neural pathways in a brain, rather than any religious symbol.”
In another varied response, Grok said the “logo’s resemblance to a broken cross appears to be coincidental rather than intentional.”
“The design focuses on simplicity and represents the AI’s purpose of understanding and growth, without any explicit reference to Christian or anti-Christian symbolism,” it stated.
The Christian Post reached out to Grok for comment on the logo. A response is pending.
While primarily the focus of more conspiracy-minded users, the design choice for Grok takes on another layer of meaning when Musk’s public persona is considered. READ MORE