The online platform X has sparked major outrage after users utilized its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to manipulate photos of females by stripping their attire.
Multiple instances have been seen where the system has been used to remove clothing from women to render them in swimwear without consent, as well as to place them in sexually explicit contexts.
Company Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the organization that created Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, aside from an standard message stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office official stated that new laws is being proposed to ban image stripping software. Under a new criminal offence, anyone who supplied such technology would "face a prison sentence and heavy penalties".
"The platform has the ability to stop these forms of misuse if they desired to," said a law professor, adding they "appear to enjoy impunity."
Regulator Stance and Platform Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said technology companies must "evaluate the risk" of people viewing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not confirm whether it was currently examining X or Grok in regarding artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some paid-for features—which reacts to X users' requests when they tag it in a post.
It is frequently used to offer commentary or further context to other posters' comments, but people on X are also capable of alter an uploaded image through its artificial intelligence picture modification function.
Background of Controversy and Policy
The chatbot has been faulted for allowing users to create images and clips with nudity and sexualised material, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in creating inappropriate material of public figures.
"X has been permitting the generation and spread of these pictures for months without taking any measures and we have not witnessed any challenge by oversight bodies," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own terms of service prohibits "depicting likenesses of people in a sexually explicit fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was illegal to "generate or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this included sexual deepfakes made with AI.
It said networks such as X were mandated to take "suitable actions" to "minimize the danger" of users coming across illegal material on their platforms and to delete it promptly when they become aware of it.
