Elon Musk's online network X has provoked widespread backlash after people employed its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to change pictures of females by removing their garments.
Multiple instances have emerged where the system has been used to remove clothing from female subjects to show them in bikinis without consent, as well as to put them in sexually explicit scenarios.
Company Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the firm that created Grok, offered no comment to inquiries, except for an standard response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office representative stated that legislation is being introduced to prohibit image stripping technology. Under a new law, anyone who distributed such technology would "face a prison sentence and heavy fines".
"The platform could prevent these forms of misuse if they chose to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "operate with impunity."
Regulator Stance and Tool Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said tech firms must "evaluate the potential" of people seeing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not specify whether it was presently examining X or Grok in regarding artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which responds to X users' queries when they reference it in a tweet.
It is frequently used to give reactions or more background to other users' comments, but people on X are also able to modify an posted photo through its AI image editing function.
History of Criticism and Policy
The system has been condemned for permitting users to produce photos and footage with nudity and sexually suggestive content, and it was in the past accused of creating inappropriate material of public figures.
"X has been enabling the generation and distribution of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have yet to see any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own usage rules forbids "showing likenesses of people in a graphic manner".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or share private pictures or child sexual abuse material" and stated this included sexual deepfakes made with AI.
It said platforms such as X were required to take "necessary actions" to "lessen the risk" of users viewing unlawful content on their services and to delete it quickly when they become aware of it.
