Key facts
- Filmmaker Alex Gibney's new documentary about Elon Musk uses an AI avatar to simulate an interview.
- The film explores Musk's alleged manipulation of X's algorithm to prioritize vitriol and inflammatory comments.
- Ashley St. Clair, who has a child with Musk, appears in the film and discusses their relationship and a refused NDA.
- St. Clair previously sued Musk's AI company over alleged deepfake image generation by its Grok chatbot.
- The documentary delves into Musk's childhood and his involvement with conservative politics.
Filmmaker Alex Gibney's new documentary about Elon Musk, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, utilizes an Artificial Intelligence avatar to simulate an interview with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO. Gibney stated the use of the AI avatar was intentionally ironic, referencing Musk's own propositions about living in a simulation and his complex views on AI technology. The choice aims to convey the "reality of what he’s done and unreality of his narrative."
Before proceeding with the AI avatar, filmmakers consulted with lawyers and received approval. Ashley St. Clair, who shares a child with Musk and was formerly a conservative influencer, appears in the film. She discusses their relationship, Musk's character, and her refusal to sign a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for $40 million related to paternity support.
St. Clair also previously sued Musk's AI company, alleging that its Grok chatbot generated sexually exploitative deepfake images of her, causing humiliation and emotional distress. Gibney commented on Musk's takeover of X, stating that the algorithm was manipulated to prioritize "vitriol and hate." "Wired" reporter Zoë Schiffer, also featured in the film, added that the algorithm was tweaked to suppress mainstream journalism while amplifying inflammatory comments.
St. Clair expressed concern that Musk is deliberately stoking division, which she believes could be catastrophic if not regulated. The nearly four-hour film explores Musk's childhood, including an interview with his father, Errol Musk, and his early career. Gibney noted that the film's scope expanded significantly after Musk became involved with the second Donald Trump administration and right-wing politics.
Other individuals interviewed include Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, Musk's first wife Justine Musk, neurologist Sam Harris, tech reporter Kara Swisher, and former USAID Administrator Samantha Power. Gibney described Musk as "extremely" dangerous to democracy and raised alarms about the information gathered by "DOGE boys" on U.S. citizens through their access to government agencies. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in October.