The online network X has caused significant outrage after users used its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to manipulate pictures of females by taking off their garments.
Several instances have been seen where the technology has been used to digitally undress women to make them appear in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to place them in sexualized situations.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Stance
XAI, the company responsible for Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, except for an auto-reply response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government official stated that new laws is being proposed to prohibit image stripping tools. Under a new law, anyone who provided such technology would "face a jail term and heavy fines".
"X or Grok could prevent these forms of misuse if they desired to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "seem to have impunity."
Oversight Body Stance and Platform Capabilities
The communications watchdog Ofcom said platforms must "assess the risk" of people viewing unlawful material on their services, but did not specify whether it was at this time examining X or Grok in concerning artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional functions—which responds to X users' queries when they mention it in a post.
It is frequently used to give reactions or additional context to other users' comments, but people on X are also capable of edit an posted photo through its AI image editing function.
Background of Criticism and Rules
The tool has been faulted for enabling users to create photos and clips with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in creating inappropriate material of public figures.
"The platform has been enabling the creation and sharing of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have not seen any challenge by regulators," the expert added.
XAI's own terms of service forbids "depicting likenesses of persons in a pornographic manner".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was against the law to "generate or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and stated this applied to sexual deepfakes generated with AI.
It said networks such as X were obligated to take "appropriate steps" to "lessen the danger" of users viewing illegal material on their services and to remove it quickly when they learn of it.
