Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is facing significant pressure from the UK government regarding its artificial intelligence tool, Grok. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has called for urgent action to address the inappropriate use of Grok in generating explicit images.
Concerns Raised Over Grok AI’s Outputs
Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, expressed serious concerns about Grok’s capability to produce fake sexualized images. Reports indicate that users, predominantly women, have encountered disturbing AI-generated images of themselves devoid of clothing. Additionally, there are troubling instances of Grok creating sexualized images of children, as per an analysis by Reuters.
Government’s Stance on AI Misuse
- Liz Kendall labeled the generated content as “absolutely appalling” and unacceptable for society.
- She emphasized that individuals should never endure the trauma of seeing intimate deepfakes online.
- Kendall insisted on the necessity for X to address these issues swiftly, supporting Ofcom’s investigation.
In response to this growing concern, multiple users have reported instances of non-consensual deepfakes being shared on the platform. Some of these images depicted them in bikinis, leading to widespread outrage.
X’s Response and Measures
X has responded by stating its commitment to combating illegal content. According to its official safety account, the platform actively removes harmful content, suspends problematic accounts, and collaborates with law enforcement when necessary.
- An official post noted that there have been isolated incidents where users requested AI-generated images of minors in minimal clothing.
- X’s AI team, xAI, acknowledged the need for enhanced safeguards to prevent such requests effectively.
Legal Framework and Future Implications
Under the Online Safety Act, which was fully enforced in July, sharing intimate imagery without consent is illegal, even if the content is generated through AI. This legislation aims to protect individuals from sexual exploitation and harassment.
Recently, French officials reported Grok’s generation of sexually explicit content to prosecutors, highlighting its manifest illegality. As the situation evolves, further updates and developments are anticipated. El-Balad will continue to monitor these events closely, providing timely updates as more information becomes available.
