Elon Musk's online network X has provoked significant anger after users utilized its AI chatbot Grok to change images of females by removing their clothing.
Numerous instances have surfaced where the technology has been employed to virtually strip female subjects to make them appear in swimwear non-consensually, as well as to place them in sexually explicit situations.
Company Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the firm behind Grok, did not respond to questions, except for an standard message stating "legacy media lies".
A Home Office official stated that legislation is being introduced to outlaw nudification technology. Under a upcoming criminal offence, anyone who provided such technology would "be subject to a prison sentence and substantial penalties".
"The platform has the ability to stop these forms of abuse if they desired to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "appear to enjoy impunity."
Regulator Stance and Tool Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said platforms must "consider the potential" of people seeing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not confirm whether it was at this time looking into X or Grok in concerning AI-generated images.
Grok is a no-cost artificial intelligence—with some premium functions—which answers X users' queries when they mention it in a post.
It is commonly used to offer commentary or further background to other posters' remarks, but people on X are also can alter an posted photo through its AI image editing feature.
History of Criticism and Rules
The system has been faulted for enabling users to produce images and videos with nudity and sexually suggestive content, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in creating graphic content of public figures.
"X has been permitting the production and distribution of these images for months without taking any action and we have not witnessed any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own usage rules bans "showing likenesses of individuals in a sexually explicit fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was illegal to "generate or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and stated this covered sexual deepfakes created with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "suitable actions" to "minimize the danger" of users viewing illegal content on their services and to take down it quickly when they are notified of it.
