The online platform X has caused widespread backlash after individuals utilized its AI chatbot Grok to alter photos of females by taking off their attire.
Several instances have surfaced where the tool has been used to virtually strip female subjects to show them in swimwear without permission, as well as to put them in sexualized scenarios.
Company Reaction and Legal Position
XAI, the firm that created Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, other than an standard response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government representative stated that new laws is being proposed to outlaw image stripping software. Under a proposed law, anyone who distributed such tools would "face a prison sentence and significant fines".
"X or Grok has the ability to stop these forms of abuse if they desired to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "operate with impunity."
Oversight Body Stance and Platform Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said technology companies must "consider the risk" of people viewing illegal content on their platforms, but stopped short of confirming whether it was presently examining X or Grok in concerning AI-generated pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which reacts to X users' prompts when they tag it in a post.
It is often used to provide commentary or further background to other users' remarks, but people on X are also capable of edit an uploaded image through its AI image editing feature.
History of Controversy and Rules
The tool has been condemned for enabling users to generate images and footage with explicit content and sexualised material, and it was in the past accused of making sexually explicit material of public figures.
"The platform has been allowing the creation and spread of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have yet to see any challenge by oversight bodies," the expert added.
XAI's own terms of service forbids "showing images of people in a sexually explicit way".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this included explicit AI images made with AI.
It said networks such as X were mandated to take "suitable actions" to "minimize the danger" of users viewing illegal material on their services and to delete it swiftly when they become aware of it.
