The online network X has provoked major anger after users utilized its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to manipulate images of females by removing their attire.
Multiple instances have been seen where the system has been used to digitally undress female subjects to render them in bikinis without consent, as well as to insert them in sexually explicit contexts.
Company Response and Regulatory Position
XAI, the organization that created Grok, did not respond to questions, other than an auto-reply message stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government spokesperson stated that new laws is being introduced to ban image stripping software. Under a upcoming criminal offence, anyone who provided such tools would "receive a prison sentence and substantial fines".
"X or Grok is capable of halting these types of abuse if they chose to," said a law professor, adding they "appear to enjoy a lack of consequences."
Regulator Stance and Platform Capabilities
The regulator Ofcom said tech firms must "assess the risk" of people viewing unlawful material on their services, but did not specify whether it was at this time investigating X or Grok in concerning artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free AI assistant—with some additional features—which reacts to X users' requests when they mention it in a tweet.
It is commonly used to offer reactions or further background to other posters' comments, but people on X are also able to alter an posted picture through its AI image editing feature.
History of Criticism and Rules
The system has been faulted for permitting users to create pictures and footage with explicit content and sexualised material, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in making inappropriate material of celebrities.
"The platform has been allowing the creation and spread of these pictures for a long time without taking any steps and we have not witnessed any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy prohibits "depicting images of persons in a graphic fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was against the law to "create or share private pictures or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this included sexual deepfakes generated with AI.
It said networks such as X were mandated to take "necessary steps" to "reduce the risk" of users viewing illegal material on their services and to remove it quickly when they become aware of it.
