X Hands Timeline Control to Grok AI, Phases Out Community Forums

X is shifting how its platform organizes information, placing its Grok AI directly into the feed curation process. The company announced that iOS subscribers to its Premium tier can now test a feature allowing them to select specific topics. Grok will then use those selections, combined with its analysis of platform content and the existing recommendation algorithm, to assemble a personalized timeline.

Product lead Nikita Bier stated the system is designed to build a unique feed for each user, noting it performs best with topics a user already interacts with. A rollout for Android users is promised shortly.

The move coincides with the retirement of X Communities, the platform's dedicated topic-based forums, scheduled for May 6th. X cited declining activity and is directing group organizers to migrate discussions to group chats within its XChat messaging service. This deprioritization of structured community spaces contrasts with approaches at platforms like Threads and Mastodon.

The announcement follows a turbulent period for Grok. Earlier this year, its image generation feature drew international scrutiny and legal action after it produced non-consensual intimate imagery, including of minors. A lawsuit filed last month alleges company leadership knowingly released a 'spicy' image mode that would generate illegal content.

Source: The Verge