Elon Musk's online network X has sparked significant backlash after users used its AI chatbot Grok to change images of women by stripping their garments.
Multiple cases have surfaced where the system has been used to digitally undress female subjects to show them in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to insert them in sexualized situations.
Developer Response and Regulatory Position
XAI, the firm responsible for Grok, did not respond to questions, other than an standard message stating "legacy media lies".
A government representative stated that legislation is being introduced to prohibit image stripping software. Under a upcoming law, anyone who provided such technology would "be subject to a prison sentence and substantial penalties".
"X or Grok is capable of halting these types of abuse if they wanted to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "seem to have impunity."
Regulator Stance and Tool Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said platforms must "consider the potential" of people accessing illegal content on their services, but did not specify whether it was presently investigating X or Grok in regarding AI-generated pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which reacts to X users' queries when they tag it in a tweet.
It is often used to offer commentary or further context to other posters' remarks, but people on X are also capable of modify an uploaded image through its AI image editing tool.
Background of Criticism and Rules
The system has been faulted for allowing users to create images and videos with explicit content and sexually suggestive content, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in making sexually explicit material of public figures.
"X has been allowing the production and spread of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have yet to see any challenge by oversight bodies," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy bans "depicting images of people in a graphic fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or circulate deepfakes or illegal content" and stated this applied to explicit AI images created with AI.
It said platforms such as X were required to take "suitable actions" to "lessen the risk" of users encountering unlawful content on their platforms and to remove it quickly when they become aware of it.
