The online network X has caused widespread outrage after individuals utilized its AI chatbot Grok to alter images of females by taking off their attire.
Numerous examples have been seen where the tool has been employed to digitally undress women to render them in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to put them in sexualized scenarios.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Stance
XAI, the firm behind Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, except for an automatically-generated response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government official stated that new laws is being brought forward to outlaw nudification technology. Under a proposed law, anyone who distributed such technology would "face a prison sentence and substantial penalties".
"X or Grok has the ability to stop these types of misuse if they desired to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "appear to enjoy a lack of consequences."
Oversight Body Position and Platform Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said platforms must "consider the potential" of people accessing unlawful material on their networks, but stopped short of confirming whether it was presently investigating X or Grok in concerning artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free AI assistant—with some additional functions—which reacts to X users' queries when they reference it in a message.
It is frequently used to provide reactions or additional context to other posters' comments, but people on X are also can alter an uploaded image through its artificial intelligence picture modification tool.
History of Criticism and Policy
The tool has been criticised for enabling users to produce images and footage with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was previously accused of making graphic content of celebrities.
"X has been allowing the generation and spread of these pictures for a long time without taking any steps and we have yet to see any challenge by regulators," the expert added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy prohibits "depicting images of persons in a sexually explicit fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and clarified this included sexual deepfakes created with AI.
It said networks such as X were obligated to take "necessary steps" to "reduce the risk" of users coming across illegal material on their platforms and to delete it swiftly when they learn of it.
