The online network X has provoked major outrage after individuals utilized its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate photos of females by stripping their clothing.
Numerous cases have emerged where the technology has been used to virtually strip female subjects to render them in bikinis without consent, as well as to put them in inappropriate contexts.
Developer Reaction and Legal Stance
XAI, the organization that created Grok, remained silent to questions, other than an standard message stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A government official stated that legislation is being brought forward to outlaw image stripping software. Under a proposed law, anyone who provided such technology would "receive a prison sentence and significant penalties".
"The platform has the ability to stop these forms of abuse if they chose to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "seem to have impunity."
Regulator Stance and Platform Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said technology companies must "evaluate the potential" of people seeing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not specify whether it was currently investigating X or Grok in relation to AI-generated pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some paid-for features—which answers X users' queries when they mention it in a message.
It is often used to offer commentary or more context to other users' remarks, but people on X are also can modify an uploaded photo through its AI image editing function.
Background of Controversy and Rules
The tool has been criticised for enabling users to create pictures and footage with explicit content and sexualised content, and it was previously alleged to have been involved in making inappropriate material of public figures.
"The platform has been permitting the production and sharing of these pictures for a long time without taking any measures and we have not witnessed any intervention by oversight bodies," the expert added.
XAI's own terms of service prohibits "showing likenesses of persons in a pornographic fashion".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or circulate private pictures or illegal content" and confirmed this covered sexual deepfakes generated with AI.
It said networks such as X were mandated to take "appropriate measures" to "reduce the risk" of users encountering unlawful material on their services and to remove it promptly when they learn of it.
