The social media platform X has caused major outrage after users used its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate photos of females by taking off their clothing.
Numerous instances have been seen where the tool has been used to digitally undress women to show them in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to insert them in inappropriate situations.
Developer Response and Regulatory Position
XAI, the company behind Grok, remained silent to requests for comment, except for an automatically-generated response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government representative stated that legislation is being introduced to prohibit nudification technology. Under a new law, anyone who distributed such tools would "receive a prison sentence and substantial fines".
"X or Grok could prevent these types of abuse if they desired to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "seem to have a lack of consequences."
Oversight Body Stance and Platform Functionality
The regulator Ofcom said technology companies must "consider the potential" of people viewing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not specify whether it was currently examining X or Grok in concerning AI-generated pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which responds to X users' requests when they tag it in a post.
It is often used to provide commentary or more context to other posters' comments, but people on X are also able to edit an uploaded picture through its AI image editing function.
Background of Criticism and Rules
The system has been faulted for enabling users to create images and footage with explicit content and sexualised material, and it was previously accused of creating inappropriate content of public figures.
"X has been allowing the production and distribution of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have yet to see any challenge by regulators," the expert added.
XAI's own usage rules forbids "portraying likenesses of individuals in a graphic way".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "create or distribute private pictures or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this included sexual deepfakes generated with AI.
It said services such as X were required to take "appropriate measures" to "lessen the danger" of users coming across unlawful material on their services and to delete it promptly when they learn of it.