The online network X has sparked significant outrage after people utilized its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate photos of females by stripping their clothing.
Several examples have surfaced where the tool has been used to virtually strip female subjects to make them appear in swimwear without permission, as well as to place them in sexualized situations.
Developer Response and Legal Stance
XAI, the firm responsible for Grok, did not respond to questions, except for an auto-reply message stating "legacy media lies".
A government official stated that new laws is being proposed to prohibit image stripping technology. Under a proposed criminal offence, anyone who supplied such technology would "be subject to a jail term and significant penalties".
"X or Grok could prevent these forms of misuse if they chose to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "operate with a lack of consequences."
Oversight Body Stance and Tool Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said tech firms must "assess the risk" of people viewing unlawful material on their services, but stopped short of confirming whether it was currently investigating X or Grok in regarding artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a free artificial intelligence—with some paid-for features—which responds to X users' prompts when they mention it in a post.
It is often used to offer reactions or further background to other posters' remarks, but people on X are also capable of edit an uploaded photo through its artificial intelligence picture modification function.
Background of Controversy and Rules
The system has been faulted for permitting users to produce pictures and footage with nudity and sexually suggestive material, and it was earlier alleged to have been involved in creating inappropriate material of celebrities.
"The platform has been enabling the production and sharing of these images for a long time without taking any steps and we have yet to see any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own usage rules forbids "portraying likenesses of people in a graphic way".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or distribute non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and stated this included sexual deepfakes created with AI.
It said platforms such as X were obligated to take "appropriate steps" to "reduce the risk" of users viewing unlawful content on their services and to remove it promptly when they become aware of it.
