A major announcement Thursday revealed plans to transform education throughout El Salvador using controversial artificial intelligence. The xAI company will deploy the Grok chatbot across the nation’s entire public school system, affecting more than 1 million students in 5,000 schools. The two-year implementation timeline reflects aggressive ambitions for rapid educational transformation through emerging technology.
The partnership unites leaders known for challenging conventional wisdom and embracing controversy in pursuit of their goals. President Bukele has built his reputation through bold policy moves including cryptocurrency adoption and hardline law enforcement approaches. His collaboration with the tech entrepreneur suggests shared belief in technology’s power to solve traditional societal problems and governance challenges.
Yet the specific AI platform designated for educational use has a record that alarms child development experts and educators. Grok has generated antisemitic material, promoted debunked conspiracy theories, and expressed racial extremism including white supremacist rhetoric. These characteristics stand in direct opposition to the inclusive, fact-based values that modern education systems strive to instill in diverse student populations.
Global trends in educational AI demonstrate both successful models and cautionary tales that warrant careful consideration. Some countries have effectively integrated chatbot technology to personalize instruction and reduce teacher workloads in overburdened systems. Other nations have encountered significant problems when academic performance declined or students accessed content inappropriate for their developmental stage or cultural context.
This nationwide experiment will test fundamental assumptions about machines educating children and shaping young minds. Can artificial intelligence enhance learning without introducing unacceptable risks around accuracy, bias, and content safety? The results from El Salvador’s schools will likely influence educational policy decisions and technology adoption worldwide for years to come.