The authenticity of content generated by ChatGPT has come under scrutiny after recent investigations found that its latest version, GPT-5.2, has been sourcing information from Grokipedia, an AI-generated online encyclopedia created by Elon Musk in 2023.
The findings have triggered concern among researchers and journalists about the reliability of outputs produced by artificial intelligence platforms, particularly as more users rely on these tools for factual information.
A report by The Guardian said GPT-5.2 referenced Grokipedia multiple times when responding to user queries. These included sensitive subjects such as Iran’s political landscape and historical issues linked to Holocaust denial.
In more than a dozen test questions reviewed by the publication, Grokipedia was cited nine times, indicating that the source has been incorporated into the model’s information pool.
Grokipedia positions itself as a competitor to Wikipedia but relies entirely on artificial intelligence to generate and update its content. This approach has raised concerns about potential biases and inaccuracies being embedded in AI-generated material.
The OpenAI-owned chatbot has also faced earlier criticism for promoting right-wing viewpoints on contentious social and political topics.
Notably, ChatGPT did not reference Grokipedia when answering questions involving widely disputed claims, such as the January 6 Capitol attack or misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS.
According to the report, Grokipedia appeared more often in responses to obscure queries, where the model made stronger claims beyond facts. One example cited involved alleged links between an Iranian telecommunications firm and the office of the country’s supreme leader.
The issue extends beyond ChatGPT. Other large language models, including Anthropic’s Claude, have also cited Grokipedia in responses on various topics.
OpenAI said its models draw from a range of data sources and apply safety filters to reduce the risk of spreading harmful or misleading information.
Experts have stressed the need for stricter source evaluation during AI development, warning that dependence on unreliable references could mislead users and reinforce misinformation.
Get the latest tech news, telecom insights, and product launches wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.