A giant inflatable boat Elon Musk became the center of attention in Times Square this week. The unusual display quickly attracted attention from tourists, commuters and social media users. Questions soon followed about who was behind the installation and what message it was supposed to send. Now reports suggest the display was part of a wider campaign linked to concerns about artificial intelligence and corporate responsibility.
Elon Musk’s inflatable boat reportedly appears in Times Square, raising questions
Times Square is no stranger to sensational displays. However, a reported 40-foot inflatable boat depicting Elon Musk managed to stand out even by the district’s standards. According to CBS News reporter Jared Ochacher, the oversized image surfaced Thursday and featured a shirtless version of Musk covered in tattoos.
The display was surrounded by signs with messages related to Grok, the artificial intelligence platform associated with Musk’s companies. While the installation immediately attracted curious onlookers, the people who worked around it reportedly offered few answers about its origins.
Ochacher said he asked workers who had hired them and whether a company or individual was responsible for the campaign. According to his account, these questions remained unanswered. The workers allegedly told him only that they had been instructed to stay on site for the day and hand out flyers to passersby.
The flyers allegedly contained QR codes and messages similar to what was written on the surrounding signs. In a later update, CBS News reported that the QR code’s destination directed users to a news article about Grok. The network also said it had contacted New York City’s Street Activity Permit Office in an attempt to determine who was granted permission for the installation.
For several hours, the identity of the organizers remained unclear, prompting further speculation online. However, The cable later reported that the advocacy group Safe AI Now (SAIN) had claimed responsibility for the display. According to the publication, the group issued a statement criticizing Grok and raising concerns about the potential legal and regulatory issues related to artificial intelligence.
Notably, the inflatable appeared on the same day SpaceX is expected to make headlines with its long-awaited IPO. According to reports, the company’s shares will debut at $135, a figure that would place the offering among the largest in market history.
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