The online network X has sparked major outrage after people used its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate photos of women by removing their clothing.
Multiple instances have emerged where the technology has been used to virtually strip female subjects to show them in swimwear non-consensually, as well as to place them in sexually explicit scenarios.
Company Reaction and Legal Position
XAI, the company that created Grok, did not respond to inquiries, except for an standard response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office representative stated that new laws is being brought forward to outlaw nudification software. Under a new criminal offence, anyone who provided such tools would "be subject to a jail term and heavy fines".
"The platform could prevent these types of abuse if they chose to," said a law professor, adding they "seem to have impunity."
Regulator Stance and Platform Capabilities
The regulator Ofcom said platforms must "evaluate the danger" of people accessing illegal content on their platforms, but did not confirm whether it was presently examining X or Grok in relation to artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some additional functions—which answers X users' queries when they mention it in a tweet.
It is frequently used to offer reactions or further background to other users' comments, but people on X are also able to alter an uploaded picture through its artificial intelligence picture modification feature.
History of Criticism and Policy
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 making inappropriate material of public figures.
"X has been enabling the generation and spread of these pictures for months without taking any steps and we have yet to see any challenge by regulators," the expert added.
XAI's own usage rules prohibits "showing images of persons in a graphic manner".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was against the law to "make or circulate deepfakes or illegal content" and clarified this covered sexual deepfakes made with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "appropriate actions" to "minimize the danger" of users encountering unlawful content on their services and to remove it quickly when they become aware of it.
