The online network X has provoked significant outrage after people used its AI chatbot Grok to alter images of women by stripping their clothing.
Numerous examples have been seen where the technology has been used to remove clothing from female subjects to make them appear in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to insert them in inappropriate contexts.
Developer Response and Regulatory Stance
XAI, the company responsible for Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, other than an standard message stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government official stated that legislation is being proposed to outlaw image stripping software. Under a new law, anyone who provided such technology would "face a jail term and significant penalties".
"X or Grok is capable of halting these forms of misuse if they wanted to," said a law professor, adding they "seem to have a lack of consequences."
Regulator Position and Platform Functionality
The regulator Ofcom said platforms must "evaluate the potential" of people viewing illegal content on their services, but stopped short of confirming whether it was currently examining X or Grok in relation to artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which responds to X users' queries when they reference it in a message.
It is commonly used to offer commentary or additional background to other posters' remarks, but people on X are also able to edit an posted image through its AI image editing tool.
Background of Controversy and Policy
The chatbot has been criticised for enabling users to generate images and footage with nudity and sexualised content, and it was previously accused of generating sexually explicit material of public figures.
"X has been allowing the creation and distribution of these pictures for a long time without taking any measures and we have not seen any action by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own terms of service prohibits "portraying images of persons in a graphic fashion".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was illegal to "make or distribute non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this covered explicit AI images created with AI.
It said networks such as X were required to take "suitable steps" to "lessen the danger" of users coming across illegal material on their services and to remove it swiftly when they become aware of it.
