I’ve been glued to X lately, and I’m obsessed with what I’m seeing: Kenyans are turning the platform into a live arena for AI chatbots like Grok and Perplexity to tackle tough questions, especially about politics. It’s not just us — users worldwide are doing the same
Kenyans aren’t just posting about politics, memes, or the latest Gen Z uprising — they’re tagging AI chatbots like Grok and Perplexity in a digital quest for truth. “@grok, is this politician lying again?” or “@AskPerplexity, did Ruto really say that?” It’s like watching a sci-fi movie unfold in real-time, except the heroes are AI bots, and the battlefield is the chaotic, unfiltered world of X.
Lately, I’ve noticed this growing trend among Kenyans on X, and it’s not just a local vibe — folks from India to the U.S. are jumping on this AI bandwagon too. So, I dove deep into the X rabbit hole to see what’s cooking, and let me tell you, it’s a spicy mix of curiosity, skepticism, and a dash of humor.
Why AI chatbots are the new MVPs
Kenyans have always been tech-savvy — think M-Pesa, the mobile money revolution that put us on the global map. Now, we’re flexing that digital muscle on X, turning AI chatbots into our personal fact-checkers and info sleuths. Posts on X show this isn’t a fluke. From verifying claims about local events to digging into suspicious State House press releases — the vibe? “Don’t just tell me — prove it!” It’s like we’ve hired Grok and Perplexity as our trusty sidekicks, ready to swoop in and save the day from fake news.
Paired with a Citizen TV Kenya report, it’s clear this isn’t just chatter — engagement is skyrocketing. Users are asking everything from “Who’s the most corrupt politician?” (spoiler: Grok’s got opinions) to quirky stuff like “Is it advisable to date a single mother?” It’s a mix of serious sleuthing and playful prodding, and honestly, I’m here for it.
Beyond Kenya: A global AI party
But this isn’t just a Kenyan thing. I’ve seen X users from India grilling Grok about PM Modi’s promises, while Americans are asking Perplexity to fact-check election rumors. It’s like the world woke up one day and said, “Hey, why not let AI sort out this mess?” In India, Grok’s Hindi slang has sparked viral laughs (and some government side-eye), while in the U.S., it’s been roped into election drama, sometimes tripping over its own digital feet. The trend’s global, but Kenyans are bringing that extra flair — direct, no-nonsense questions with a sprinkle of sass.
It’s not just us — X is buzzing with users everywhere tapping AI for clarity in a world drowning in noise.
But what’s driving this? For me, it’s simple: we’re tired of being fed half-baked stories. When a politician tweets something shady, I want to know if it’s legit, not just retweet and pray. Kenyans on X continue to scrutinize AI chatbots, with some raising concerns about Grok’s responses. While the chatbot’s political takes might be eerily accurate, it’s worth pointing out its liberal bias and misinformation risks. We’re not blindly trusting these bots; we’re testing them, poking them, and laughing when they slip up. Like when someone asked Grok how long until the chatbot gets abducted in Kenya — it’s absurd, but it shows we’re having fun while we’re at it.
This humanizes the trend. It’s not just about cold, hard facts — it’s about us, the people, wrestling with a digital age where truth is slippery. I’ve seen users cheer when Grok nails a call-out (like naming a scandal-ridden leader) and groan when it hallucinates. We’re not passive; we’re in the driver’s seat, steering these AI tools to serve us.
The catch: AI’s not perfect (yet)
Here’s the tea: Grok and Perplexity aren’t flawless. Posts on X highlight the hiccups — sometimes they’re spot-on, sometimes they’re off the rails. Global Witness and TechCrunch have called out Grok for political disinformation, and I’ve seen Kenyans on X grumble when answers don’t add up. But that’s part of the fun, right? It’s like a game of trust — will the bot nail it, or will I have to double-check with my own eyes?
This trend’s more than a quirky X habit — it’s a sign of where we’re headed. As AI gets smarter, we’re not just consuming info; we’re demanding accountability. Kenyans are leading the charge, but the world’s catching up. Whether it’s fact-checking a press release or settling a bar bet, Grok and Perplexity are our new pals in the fight against BS. And honestly, I love it — there’s something empowering about summoning an AI with a quick “@” and watching it spill the beans.
So, next time you’re on X and see a Kenyan tag Grok with a wild question, join the party. Ask it something yourself — maybe “@grok, why’s my tea so good today?” Who knows? You might just start a trend of your own. In this age of AI, we’re all detectives, and the truth? It’s just a tweet away.
