The online network X has sparked significant outrage after users used its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate images of women by taking off their attire.
Multiple examples have been seen where the system has been used to virtually strip women to show them in swimwear without consent, as well as to put them in inappropriate situations.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Stance
XAI, the firm responsible for Grok, remained silent to inquiries, except for an auto-reply response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office spokesperson stated that new laws is being proposed to prohibit image stripping tools. Under a proposed law, anyone who supplied such technology would "be subject to a prison sentence and heavy fines".
"The platform is capable of halting these types of misuse if they chose to," said a law professor, adding they "appear to enjoy impunity."
Oversight Body Stance and Tool Capabilities
The regulator Ofcom said platforms must "evaluate the danger" of people accessing illegal content on their networks, but did not confirm whether it was presently investigating X or Grok in regarding artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a no-cost artificial intelligence—with some premium functions—which answers X users' requests when they mention it in a tweet.
It is frequently used to give reactions or more context to other users' remarks, but people on X are also capable of modify an uploaded picture through its artificial intelligence picture modification feature.
History of Criticism and Rules
The system has been criticised for allowing users to produce photos and videos with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in creating inappropriate content of public figures.
"X has been enabling the creation and distribution of these pictures for a long time without taking any steps and we have yet to see any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy prohibits "portraying likenesses of persons in a sexually explicit way".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was illegal to "create or share non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and stated this included explicit AI images generated with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "suitable actions" to "minimize the danger" of users coming across unlawful material on their platforms and to delete it swiftly when they learn of it.
