X Responds to Outcry Over Sexualised Deepfakes Generated by Grok
X has announced new regulations for its AI system Grok after facing sharp criticism over the creation of sexualised AI deepfakes. The company said Grok will be prohibited from altering images of real individuals to make them appear in revealing clothing. The move comes in response to the backlash X has faced in recent days, with activists, users, and officials raising concerns about AI-generated content being explicit and created without consent. Several critics have pointed fingers at X owner Elon Musk, accusing him of allowing the tool’s misuse and the type of content Grok was able to produce.
New Safeguards Features Applied To All Users
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X has implemented new technological safeguards to restrict image editing features on Grok.
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The AI tool is now blocked from editing images of real individuals to make them appear in revealing clothing, such as bikinis.
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These safeguards are aimed at preventing the creation of sexualised or non-consensual content.
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The restrictions apply universally to all users.
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Paid subscribers are also subject to the same limitations.
X Faces Increased Regulatory Scrutiny Over AI-Generated Content
Authorities in the UK, the US, and other parts of the world are expressing concerns about the abuse of artificial intelligence to create non-consensual, sexualised, and manipulated images. Regulators have raised the bar on tech companies, demanding stronger protections to ensure that AI-generated content does not harm users. In this context, Grok, developed by xAI and integrated into X, has come under increasing scrutiny from regulators and critics. As oversight intensifies, governments are evaluating whether current measures are sufficient and questioning if AI vendors are doing enough to safeguard users and comply with emerging laws and regulations.
Musk Defends Grok Amid Illegal Image Allegations
Elon Musk has defended Grok against claims that it produced explicit images involving minors. In a post on X, he stated he was unaware of any such content, emphasizing that Grok only responds to user prompts and does not generate images on its own.
Musk And X Clamp Down On Grok After Backlash
Elon Musk acknowledges that Grok has its drawbacks, sometimes adversarial hacks can lead to unexpected results, but he assures that any glitches are fixed very quickly. The focus is on X, particularly after three Democratic US senators requested Apple and Alphabet to remove the app due to non-consensual sexual images of women and minors. In response, X has restricted Grok’s public image-generation features, specifying what users can create. Musk cautions that anyone attempting to misuse Grok for illegal purposes will face the same consequences as those who directly upload illicit content. With regulators, lawmakers, and users closely watching, X is walking a fine line between AI innovation and responsibility, aiming to keep Grok fun, safe, and out of trouble while assuring the world that Dalal Street-level mischief will not spill over into the AI space.
Global Regulators Turn Up the Heat on X and Grok
The global regulatory scrutiny on X and its AI tool Grok remains highly visible. In the UK, upcoming legislation will make it a crime to produce certain sexual images using AI, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that X is working diligently to comply with the new law. Communications regulator Ofcom is taking the matter seriously and has already launched a comprehensive investigation into the platform. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia are not taking any chances, they have completely banned Grok and initiated legal action against X and xAI. With courts, regulators, and watchdogs closely monitoring the situation, Musk and his team are trying to keep Grok exciting and creative while avoiding a global legal storm.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
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