The posts on X have been condemned by both Margaret Aspinall and West Derby MP Ian Byrne
Posts described as 'appalling and sickening' relating to the Hillsborough disaster have been deleted from X following a complaint from Liverpool FC
Posts described as 'appalling and sickening' relating to the Hillsborough disaster have been deleted from X following a complaint from Liverpool FC(Image: PA)
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A prominent Hillsborough campaigner has described deliberately hurtful posts generated by an AI tool on social media platform X about the disaster, Diogo Jota and the Heysel disaster as "appalling and sickening". The vile comments were made by AI tool Grok on X after being prompted by a user to make "vulgar comments" and to "not hold back".
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The AI tool is the product of artificial intelligence company xAI and X, formerly Twitter, both of which are owned by Elon Musk. Grok responded to the request by making false claims about Liverpool FC fans relating to the Hillsborough disaster which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.
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It continued to make several "appalling" remarks about Liverpool FC fans. For many years after the 1989 disaster, South Yorkshire Police falsely claimed ticketless Liverpool fans contributed to the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.
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The false narrative was comprehensively debunked by the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012.
Fresh inquests in 2016 found those who died at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed after a catalogue of failings by both the police and ambulance services.
In September last year, the ECHO travelled with Hillsborough family members - Margaret Aspinall, Charlotte Hennessy, Steve Kelly and Sue Roberts - as they met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street on the day the new Hillsborough Law was officially laid in Parliament.
Grok also continued to respond to other user requests. In another now-deleted post on X, the tool falsely labelled former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota as a murder following the deadly car crash involving him and his brother, Andre Silva, last year.
The ECHO understands Liverpool FC complained to X about the posts, with the posts having been deleted this afternoon (Sunday, March 8).
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, has been one of the most prominent and important figures in the campaign for truth, justice and for a lasting legacy for the Liverpool fans who died in the disaster.
Margaret Aspinall
Margaret Aspinall(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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Ms Aspinall was informed of the posts by the ECHO on Sunday. She said: "We are fighting for a Hillsborough Law for the good of the nation. We have been through enough.
"These posts are appalling and sickening, I don't know how anyone can allow for these comments to go on social media. It makes me feel sick as we come to the anniversary [of Hillsborough]. We fought like hell to get to the truth, they were all unlawfully killed.
"It makes me feel sick that people can carry one like this. The government needs to get involved."
Grok, an AI tool, created the posts following requests from X users
Grok, an AI tool, created the posts following requests from X users(Image: Getty Images)
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Hillsborough Law - officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill - aims to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters through a new legally bound duty of candour. The Bill will also see the biggest expansion of legal aid in a decade in order to provide a level playing field for families and loved ones appearing at inquests and inquiries.
She added: "We have fought so hard to get to the truth and that truth will help people in the future. We are fighting for a Hillsborough Law that will be for the good of the nation and these are the people we are fighting for."
Merseyside Police has been made aware of the posts, the ECHO understands.
It has also been reported how Grok made similar posts about Manchester United fans and the 1958 Munich air disaster. Reports state Manchester United joined Liverpool FC in complaining to the social media website about the AI generated posts.
West Derby MP Ian Byrne has called for "serious questions" to be asked as to how this happened.
He told the ECHO: "The comments highlighted are appalling and completely unacceptable. The hurt they will cause to the families and survivors of those involved in these tragedies will be immense.
MP Ian Byrne by the Hillsborough memorial
MP Ian Byrne by the Hillsborough memorial
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"The vast majority of fans will feel horror and disgust at language like this. It is deeply shocking that hate filled content could be generated and circulated by Grok on such a major platform.
"Technology companies have a clear moral responsibility to ensure their tools do not produce or amplify abuse, and serious questions must be asked about how this was allowed to happen."
A Department of Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said: "These posts are sickening and irresponsible. They go against British values and decency.
“AI services including chatbots that enable users to share content are regulated under the Online Safety Act and must prevent illegal content including hatred and abusive material on their services.
"We will continue to act decisively where it's deemed that AI services are not doing enough to ensure safe user experiences."
Grok has come under intense scrutiny in recent months following requests from users to edit photos of real people to show them in revealing clothing or without clothing at all.
The BBC reported in January how the tool had been changed so it was no longer able to do this, although some campaigners and victims told the public broadcaster the damage had already been done.