Musk's Grok AI lands huge contract despite its recent problematic behaviors
Musk's company, xAI, launched 'Grok for Government,' a new product suite designed to enable federal, state, and local governments to leverage AI for their specific requirements.
This government-specific offering includes Grok 4, Deep Search, Tool Use, custom models for national security, and AI-powered applications for areas like healthcare, accessible via the General Services Administration.
The announcement follows recent criticism of Grok for generating antisemitic statements on X, an issue xAI attributed to reliance on user input and is actively working to resolve.
This contract is part of a broader initiative by the DoD, which also awarded $200 million contracts to Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI to broaden its use of frontier AI capabilities.
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The National
29 minutes ago
- The National
Labour rushed to help Lindsey oil refinery. So why not Grangemouth?
Here, Michelle Thomson, the SNP MSP for Falkirk East – which includes Grangemouth, writes on the Labour Government's differing approaches. LIKE many, I was alarmed to hear of the potential closure of Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire at the end of last month. On June 30, Prax Group, the owners of the refinery, announced they were going into administration, and therefore the future of the site was at risk. The very same day, the UK Government sprang into action. Energy Minister Michael Shanks gave a statement to the House of Commons confirming the [[UK Government]] is funding the continued operation of the refinery, adding: 'The Government will ensure supplies are maintained, protect our energy security, and do everything we can to support workers.' Energy Minister Michael ShanksNow, I welcome this, and any action to save jobs is commendable. All options should be considered to keep Lindsey operating. But as the constituency MSP for Grangemouth, I cannot help but think – while the [[UK Government]] sprang into action for the Lindsey refinery the day the news broke, where was that sense of urgency and action for [[Grangemouth]]? Yes, the circumstances are different – but over a period of months, there was nothing even close to what took place for Lindsey in a day – no urgent statement, and little to no meaningful Government intervention. READ MORE: Labour admit 'not a penny' of £200m Grangemouth rescue fund spent This isn't the first time either. Many Scots were quite rightly astounded that the UK Government very quickly spent billions to save British Steel in Scunthorpe but came nowhere close for Grangemouth. It's worth repeating that Scotland generates well over 90% of the UK's crude oil in any given year – but now has no capacity to refine it. It's also worth repeating that Labour promised to save [[Grangemouth]] before the election and failed. Indeed, the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland said: "We would step in to save the jobs at the refinery." This is the second refinery to face closure on Labour's watch, with thousands of related jobs being lost elsewhere in the supply chain. It would appear that, when it comes to industry elsewhere in the UK, Westminster can immediately pull out all the stops – but when it's in Scotland, the [[UK Government]] simply isn't interested. READ MORE: 'Unacceptable': SNP hit out as Labour 'keep Tory-era veto on Scottish laws' Some may argue that these issues are for the Scottish Government to respond to. This is correct – but any response must include the power to take financial action in the form of significant borrowing powers. These are powers that the [[Scottish Government]] lacks. The truth is, Grangemouth is just as important to Scotland's industrial output as Lindsey is to England's. It's no wonder that a growing number in Scotland quite rightly feel that Scotland is an afterthought to this – or any – UK government. It begs the question: if the UK Government can immediately step in to save major industrial sites in England – on more than one occasion – then why not in Scotland? My view is, as it always has been, that the only way to ensure Scotland's massive natural wealth is utilised for the benefit of Scotland's people is with independence for Scotland.
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
7 discounted EVs you can buy through government's controversial new tax payer-funded scheme
A NEW £650 million grant will knock up to £3,750 off the price of low-priced EVs, the government has revealed. A new Electric Car Grant will see taxpayers foot the bill for EVs costing under £37,000, and only models from brands that have committed to a so-called Science-Based Target (SBT) for emissions. 7 According to Auto Express, fewer than 50 new EV models would be eligible for the grant - provided they pass the necessary criteria. The scheme will also provide additional support for electric car purchases for Motability customers - as revealed in The Sun's recent report - offering substantial discounts. This has raised concerns among some critics, who argue that taxpayers may effectively be contributing twice - once through the Motability scheme and again through the EV grant subsidies. Furthermore, some welfare users have expressed difficulties with EVs, with issues such as limited home charging facilities and inadequate public charging infrastructure causing frustration for some. Despite these concerns, supporters of the scheme, including Motability Operations, emphasise that including Motability users in the EV grant is vital to ensure the transition to electric vehicles remains inclusive and supports disabled drivers. A spokesperson from Motability Operations told The Sun: 'We welcome the Government's Electric Car Grant and the inclusion of our customers. 'It's vital that the EV transition is inclusive and doesn't leave disabled people behind. 'With the 2035 deadline on the horizon, any move that supports both drivers and the wider industry and improves positivity towards EVs is welcome.' Recent findings, though, found that drivers with ailments including constipation and "tennis elbow" were being funded by the Motability scheme. Some influencers have even been found to boast online about obtaining these vehicles for minimal costs, and even advising others on how to maximise their benefits. Alpine A290 GTS delivers a hot hatch EV that comes with F1-style 'overtake button' SHOPPING LIST There are also several key points to keep in mind before you set out to choose your shiny new discontinued EV. Firstly, the scheme will not be immediately accessible - even though it officially launches on July 16. This is because car brands must apply for eligibility for the vehicles in their ranges, rather than buyers being able to register grants at the point of purchase. Also, not all grants will amount to £3,750 as the scheme adopts a two-tier system, with the value deducted from the recommended retail price (RRP) depending on how environmentally friendly the manufacturing process is for each model. According to the RAC, these restrictions encourage drivers to choose models that are not only cost-effective, but also more sustainable for the planet. To that end, we've picked out seven EV examples that could get the EV grant - though it remains to be seen if they will meet the criteria for the full subsidy of £3,750. Dacia Spring - Priced from £14,995 7 The nation's cheapest EV at £14,995 (if we look past the Cit r oen Ami, which is classed as a motorised quadricycle), the Spring, could be about to get a whole lot cheaper - if it meets the EV grant's criteria. The little EV, which boasts up to 140 miles of range - certainly enough for a trip to the shops and back - certainly doesn't boast many frills, but it's rather great for simple, daily use. Fiat Grande Panda - Priced from £21,035 One of the world's most famous nameplates is back, bigger and better than ever. The Panda, known as the national car of Italy, starts at around £21,035 for its electric iteration and has been given a radical new look. And, as the name suggests, it's a little bigger - somewhat similar in size to its Stellantis cousin, the Citroen C3 - with enough space that Fiat described as 'perfect for comfortable family living and contemporary urban mobility'. Peugeot e-208 - Priced from £30,150 Stylish and well-rounded, the e-208 is one of the finest all electric hatchbacks available - offering excellent performance alongside practicality, making it one of the most popular choices in its price range. It features a 50kWh battery and a 100kW electric motor, offering a range of up to 225 miles. Better yet, a GTI version is coming soon in what we described as a huge nod to an 80s classic. MG4 - Priced from £26,995 The MG4, often praised for its value for money, impressive range - which starts at 218 miles for the standard edition - and modern features, it's also one of the best EVs around for families thanks to surprising levels of space inside. Better yet, its suspension is tuned for comfort on long journeys, absorbing minor road imperfections. Fiat 500e - Priced from £25,035 7 One of the nation's favourite petrol-powered little cars was discontinued last year, with Fiat now urging buyers to get their 500 thrills from the all-electric 500e. The iconic design is still there, but with the benefits of electric driving - offering a compact and efficient option for city drivers. Volkswagen ID.3 - Priced from £30,860 One of the most refined options available for under £37,000, the ID.3 delivers a comfortable ride, good range and the reliability associated with VW. Better yet, it offers user-friendly features, decent charging speeds and a good overall value, particularly when considering running costs. Honourable mentions: Alpine A290: instantly iconic and one of the most fun cars - electric or otherwise - on the market, the A290, which starts at £33,000, has won numerous awards and plaudits. MINI Cooper Electric: another hot hatch that's high on the fun factor, the famous Cooper now comes electric - including all the fun driving dynamics you'd come to expect.
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
EV car grant returns with savings of up to £3750 on 'affordable' models
The EV grant is back, meaning electric cars are set to become more affordable. As private sales of electric cars stall, the Government has finally announced the relaunch of an Electric Vehicle (EV) grant scheme. The result will mean the price of a new zero-emissions car could be slashed by up to £3750. The Department for Transport (DfT) said the discounts could be applied to new EVs from Wednesday (July 16). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Labour's new Electric Car Grant will be available on EVs priced under the scheme's £37,000 barrier. Importantly, only models from manufacturers that have committed to a 'Science-Based Target' (SBT) for carbon reduction and emissions, and have already showcased reductions, will be included. The scheme will operate on two tiers. The full £3750 discount will be available on cars deemed the most environmentally friendly. Other EVs not deemed 'green enough' will be discounted by £1500. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, what EVs would be available if they meet the sustainability criteria? Important to stress here, the government has yet to disclose exactly what the sustainability criteria will actually be, or how it will be measured. It has also yet to define the SBT's threshold figures. Kia EV3 Amongst those electric cars that slip in under the £37,000 threshold include the (priced from): Renault 5 E-Tech (£22,995) Fiat 500e (£25,035) Mini Cooper Electric (£26,905) Renault 5 E-Tech Renault 4 E-Tech (£26,995) Ford Puma Gen-E (£29,995) Peugeot e-208 (£30,150) VW ID.3 (£30,860) EV Charger Kia EV3 (£33,005) Volvo EX30 (£33,060) Omoda E5 (£33,065) Hyundai Kona Electric (£34,500) Cupra Born (£35,690) The £37,000 figures was chosen because, according to the government, 'it covers the more affordable end of the market, thus ensuring funding for the Zero Emission Vehicle transition can reach as many people as possible'. And it's worth highlighting that, with many manufacturers already heavily discounting electric cars, it's not out of the realms of probability that some carmakers will reduce the car's recommended retail price (RRP) in order for it to fall within the Government's £37,000 cut-off point. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Across the UK, registrations of electric cars showed a near 26% year-on-year increase in May. Significantly, despite that growth, the shift toward EVs has been more substantial among fleets than individual consumers. Private buyers have been slower to adopt, primarily because of cost concerns. The new scheme will see the Government allocate £650 million in grants: that's enough to subsidise around 173,000 electric car purchases at the maximum grant amount of £3750 per car. This latest scheme comes three years after the previous Conservative government axed the Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), which offered a fixed £1500 off list prices on EVs priced below £32,000. Following that, demand for EVs has fallen short of the target figures which were announced at the time. Not surprisingly, recently the car industry has called for support to stimulate the market, particularly for private buyers.
