The social media network X has caused major outrage after users used its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to change pictures of women by removing their garments.
Multiple instances have surfaced where the system has been used to digitally undress female subjects to make them appear in bikinis without consent, as well as to place them in inappropriate situations.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the company that created Grok, remained silent to questions, other than an standard message stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government representative stated that legislation is being brought forward to prohibit image stripping technology. Under a new law, anyone who supplied such technology would "receive a jail term and heavy fines".
"The platform has the ability to stop these forms of abuse if they wanted to," said a law professor, adding they "operate with impunity."
Regulator Stance and Tool Capabilities
The regulator Ofcom said platforms must "evaluate the danger" of people viewing illegal content on their networks, but did not confirm whether it was at this time looking into X or Grok in concerning AI-generated images.
Grok is a free chatbot—with some additional features—which reacts to X users' requests when they reference it in a message.
It is often used to provide commentary or additional context to other users' comments, but people on X are also can edit an posted photo through its AI image editing function.
Background of Criticism and Rules
The chatbot has been condemned for permitting users to produce photos and footage with nudity and sexualised content, and it was previously accused of making sexually explicit content 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 not witnessed any challenge by regulators," the expert added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy prohibits "showing images of people in a pornographic fashion".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or distribute private pictures or illegal content" and stated this applied to explicit AI images generated with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "necessary steps" to "reduce the risk" of users encountering unlawful content on their services and to delete it promptly when they learn of it.
