In a livestreamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk, the leader of Tesla, SpaceX, and X Corp., discussed his plans for X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk revealed that the social network will be transitioning to a payment model, where users will have to make a small monthly payment to access the X system. This shift aims to combat the issue of “vast armies of bots” on the platform. However, Musk did not provide specific details about the cost or additional features that would be offered with the new payment plan.
During the livestream, Musk also shared some new metrics about X. He stated that the platform currently has 550 million monthly users who generate 100 million to 200 million posts per day. Although he did not disclose the authenticity of these users or make a direct comparison to previous Twitter metrics, this information provides insight into the scale of X’s user base.
The conversation with Netanyahu was intended to focus on the theoretical risks of artificial intelligence and potential regulations. However, Musk also took the opportunity to address allegations of hate speech and antisemitism on his social network. Musk had recently faced criticism from civil rights groups for amplifying bigotry, including sharing content from antisemitic accounts and promoting conspiracies. Musk defended himself by stating that he is “sort of against attacking any group” and emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation for humanity’s goal of becoming a spacefaring civilization.
Notably, Musk had threatened to sue the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), claiming that they were responsible for a significant drop in revenue at X. He accused the ADL, a Jewish-led organization, of attempting to “kill” his social network. However, as of now, no lawsuit has been filed by Musk or X Corp. against the ADL.
Before the livestream with Netanyahu, Musk also made controversial remarks about George Soros and his foundation. Musk accused Soros of wanting to “destroy” Western civilization. Soros, a Hungarian-American Jewish philanthropist, is the subject of various antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Musk’s tenure at X has been marked by significant changes and controversies. He acquired Twitter for $44 billion and implemented staff cuts and sweeping alterations to the platform. Musk’s decision to grant “amnesty” to previously suspended accounts, including those of former President Donald Trump and neo-Nazi website founder Andrew Anglin, received strong criticism from experts in online safety and hate speech. He also eliminated the platform’s blue check verification system for public figures. Additionally, X is currently seeking licenses to become a money transmitter across the U.S., with permissions already obtained in eight states.
Overall, Musk’s livestreamed conversation with Netanyahu shed light on his plans for X and his stance on issues such as hate speech and antisemitism. While the transition to a payment model aims to combat bot activity, the details regarding pricing and features remain unknown. As Musk continues to navigate the challenges surrounding X, the future of the platform and its impact on social media and society at large is yet to be determined.
Sources:
– [Link to source article](URL)
– Definitions:
– Artificial intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans.
– Antisemitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group.
– X: Formerly known as Twitter, X is a social network that enables users to share and interact with short messages called “tweets.”