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UK Defence Ministry Clarifies Stance on X and xAI Financial Engagements
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has recently shed light on its financial interactions, or lack thereof, with the social media giant X (formerly Twitter) and its affiliated artificial intelligence firm, xAI. Responding to a parliamentary inquiry, the department affirmed that it has committed no funds to contracts with either entity since July 2024.
Cessation of Paid Advertising
Defence Minister Luke Pollard, addressing a query from Conservative MP Jack Rankin, clarified that the MOD maintains no commercial ties with X or xAI. He further disclosed that the ministry ceased all paid advertising campaigns on the X platform back in April 2023. This strategic decision, Pollard explained, followed a comprehensive review conducted under the department’s SAFE Framework assessment, signalling a deliberate shift in its digital outreach approach.
Limited Platform Utility
Currently, the MOD’s engagement with X is highly restricted, serving primarily as a channel for disseminating official policies and public service announcements. While certain departmental accounts may still maintain premium subscriptions, incurring a minimal annual expense when deemed necessary for specific communication channels, the overall expenditure for these individual subscriptions is not aggregated or centrally tracked by the ministry. This suggests a decentralized and carefully managed approach to platform usage.
Absence of Formal Contracts
Emphasizing the complete absence of any formal dealings, Minister Pollard unequivocally stated that the Ministry of Defence has not initiated any procurement processes nor engaged in contractual agreements with either X or xAI. Consequently, the department has no recorded spending related to such contracts, underscoring a clear division between the MOD and these technology companies on a commercial level.
Guiding Principles for Digital Use
Pollard further underscored that all official Defence activities involving digital platforms and artificial intelligence tools are rigorously managed through a robust framework of internal guidelines. This comprehensive oversight includes a spectrum of policies dictating acceptable and responsible usage, notably adhering to the responsible AI policy framework detailed within the ‘Dependable AI Joint Services Publication 936’. This commitment ensures that any interaction with evolving technologies remains consistent with the MOD’s stringent security and ethical standards.