X’s latest Community Notes experiment allows AI to write the first draft
X’s AI-Powered Fact-Checking: A New Era for Community Notes?
X, formerly Twitter, is deepening its integration of artificial intelligence into its fact-checking system, Community Notes. The platform is currently piloting a “collaborative notes” feature that allows contributors to request AI-generated notes on posts. This builds upon earlier experiments with AI note writers, signaling a significant shift in how X combats misinformation.
From Birdwatch to AI Collaboration
Originally known as Birdwatch, Community Notes allows users to add context to posts on X. The system relies on contributors to provide these notes, which are then rated by other users for helpfulness. In July 2025, X began a pilot program allowing developers to create dedicated AI note writers. According to Keith Coleman, X’s VP of Product and Head of Community Notes, these AI writers have proven “prolific,” with one contributing over 1,000 helpful notes.
How Collaborative Notes Work
The latest iteration streamlines the process. When a Community Note contributor requests a note, the system now also generates a “Collaborative Note” using AI. Contributors can then rate the AI-generated note or suggest improvements. X states that the system continuously reviews feedback to refine the notes and ensure they are as helpful as possible. Currently, only contributors with a “top writer” status can initiate these collaborative notes, but X plans to expand access over time.
Grok Powers the AI Notes
X is utilizing its own AI chatbot, Grok, to power the collaborative note generation. This aligns with the existing practise of users invoking Grok directly in threads with queries like “@grok is this true?”. Coleman suggests that if the system proves successful, the feedback loop could be extended to the AI note writer API.
Addressing Concerns: Speed vs. Accuracy
Community Notes has faced criticism for being a slow process. Integrating AI aims to accelerate the publication of notes and address the speed at which misinformation can spread. However, concerns remain about the accuracy of AI-generated content. Recent reports indicate that as many as one in four AI-generated Community Notes may contain factual errors, a risk X acknowledges. There have also been instances of Grok “losing touch with reality” and generating problematic content.
The Digital Democracy Institute’s Analysis
The Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) examined the functionality of X’s Community Notes system in both English and Spanish in July 2025, providing further insight into the system’s operation.
The Future of AI-Assisted Fact-Checking
X’s experiments with AI in Community Notes reflect a broader trend in the fight against online misinformation. While reactive fact-checking, like Community Notes, struggles to keep pace with rapidly spreading deepfakes, AI offers the potential to scale these efforts. However, the reliance on AI also introduces new challenges, particularly regarding accuracy, and bias.
Pro Tip:
Community Notes are inherently reactive. Even with AI assistance, they address misinformation after it has already gained traction. Proactive measures, such as media literacy education and platform policies, remain crucial in preventing the spread of false information.
FAQ
Q: What is Community Notes?
A: Community Notes is a feature on X that allows contributors to add context to posts, including fact-checks.
Q: What is a “Collaborative Note”?
A: A Collaborative Note is a Community Note generated by AI, based on a request from a contributor.
Q: Which AI powers the Collaborative Notes?
A: Grok, X’s AI chatbot, is currently used to generate Collaborative Notes.
Q: Is AI-generated content always accurate?
A: No. Reports suggest that approximately one in four AI-generated Community Notes may contain factual errors.
Q: Who can request a Collaborative Note?
A: Currently, only Community Note contributors with “top writer” status can request a Collaborative Note, but X plans to expand access.
Did you know? The Community Notes program evolved from a pilot program called Birdwatch.
Want to learn more about X’s efforts to combat misinformation? Explore the Community Notes guide on X.