Elon Musk's online network X has sparked widespread backlash after users utilized its AI chatbot Grok to alter photos of females by removing their attire.
Multiple examples have emerged where the tool has been used to digitally undress female subjects to show them in swimwear non-consensually, as well as to place them in sexualized scenarios.
Company Response and Regulatory Position
XAI, the organization responsible for Grok, remained silent to requests for comment, other than an standard message stating "legacy media lies".
A government spokesperson stated that new laws is being proposed to outlaw nudification technology. Under a upcoming criminal offence, anyone who supplied such tools would "be subject to a prison sentence and substantial penalties".
"X or Grok could prevent these types of misuse if they chose to," said a law professor, adding they "operate with a lack of consequences."
Oversight Body Stance and Platform Functionality
The regulator Ofcom said platforms must "evaluate the danger" of people viewing illegal content on their networks, but did not specify whether it was presently examining X or Grok in regarding AI-generated images.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional functions—which reacts to X users' requests when they tag it in a tweet.
It is often used to provide reactions or more background to other users' comments, but people on X are also capable of alter an posted picture through its AI image editing function.
Background of Criticism and Policy
The system has been faulted for enabling users to generate photos and clips with nudity and sexually suggestive material, and it was previously accused of making graphic content of public figures.
"The platform has been allowing the generation and sharing of these pictures for months without taking any steps and we have not witnessed any challenge by oversight bodies," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy bans "depicting images of individuals in a graphic fashion".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "generate or circulate private pictures or illegal content" and confirmed this applied to explicit AI images generated with AI.
It said platforms such as X were required to take "suitable actions" to "lessen the risk" of users viewing illegal content on their services and to take down it promptly when they become aware of it.
