The online network X has caused major backlash after individuals utilized its AI chatbot Grok to alter photos of women by taking off their clothing.
Multiple examples have emerged where the technology has been used to virtually strip female subjects to show them in swimwear without consent, as well as to put them in sexually explicit situations.
Company Reaction and Legal Stance
XAI, the organization that created Grok, did not respond to requests for comment, except for an automatically-generated response stating "legacy media lies".
A government representative stated that new laws is being introduced to prohibit image stripping technology. Under a new law, anyone who distributed such tools would "receive a prison sentence and significant fines".
"The platform is capable of halting these types of misuse if they wanted to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "seem to have a lack of consequences."
Oversight Body Stance and Tool Capabilities
The communications watchdog Ofcom said technology companies must "assess the danger" of people viewing unlawful material on their networks, but did not confirm whether it was presently looking into X or Grok in relation to artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some paid-for features—which reacts to X users' requests when they mention it in a post.
It is frequently used to give commentary or further context to other posters' comments, but people on X are also can modify an posted image through its artificial intelligence picture modification feature.
History of Criticism and Policy
The system has been criticised for enabling users to produce pictures and footage with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was previously accused of making graphic material of public figures.
"The platform has been allowing the generation and spread of these images for a long time without taking any action and we have not witnessed any action by oversight bodies," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy bans "showing images of people in a pornographic way".
In a comment, Ofcom said it was illegal to "generate or circulate non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and clarified this included sexual deepfakes generated with AI.
It said platforms such as X were obligated to take "suitable steps" to "lessen the danger" of users coming across unlawful material on their platforms and to remove it quickly when they are notified of it.
