In brief
Elon Musk responded to backlash against X and its Grok AI, which reportedly generated non-consensual sexualized images. Critics, including politicians and Ofcom, have expressed outrage, prompting an urgent assessment from the regulator. X has restricted AI image functions to paying users, a move deemed insulting by some. The situation has sparked wide condemnation and threatened further investigation into the platform.
Elon Musk has said that critics of his social media site X are looking for any excuse for censorship, amid reports that X's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok was creating non-consensual sexualised images of people, including children.
Ofcom says it is conducting an urgent assessment of X in response, a move that has been endorsed by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. She described the sexual manipulation of images of women and children as despicable and abhorrent, adding that she expects to receive an update from Ofcom in days.
X has now limited the use of AI image functions to paying subscribers, a change referred to by Downing Street as insulting to victims of sexual violence.
The BBC has seen multiple examples of the AI tool generating sexualized images without consent. Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of Musk's children, stated that Grok had produced sexualized photos of her as a child. Despite her insistence on non-consent, she found her image altered to appear basically nude.
St Clair, who has been involved in a custody lawsuit against Musk, criticized X for not taking sufficient action against illegal content, highlighting that the issue could be addressed with clear communication.
As of now, Grok informs users that image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers.
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed they are in urgent contact with X and received an initial response. They are now undertaking an expedited assessment as a matter of urgency.
Political figures across the spectrum have denounced Grok's use for generating non-consensual sexualized images. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it disgraceful, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labeled it horrible in every way, citing the need for stricter measures. The Liberal Democrats have called for temporary restrictions on X's access in the UK during investigations.
