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The online platform X has caused widespread outrage after users utilized its AI chatbot Grok to manipulate pictures of women by stripping their clothing.

Several cases have surfaced where the technology has been used to remove clothing from women to render them in swimwear without permission, as well as to place them in sexualized situations.

Developer Reaction and Regulatory Position

XAI, the firm that created Grok, remained silent to questions, aside from an standard response stating "traditional news outlets lies".

A government representative stated that legislation is being introduced to ban nudification technology. Under a upcoming criminal offence, anyone who distributed such tools would "be subject to a prison sentence and significant fines".

"X or Grok could prevent these forms of abuse if they desired to," said a law professor, adding they "seem to have impunity."

Oversight Body Stance and Tool Functionality

The communications watchdog Ofcom said technology companies must "consider the danger" of people seeing illegal content on their networks, but did not confirm whether it was at this time looking into X or Grok in relation to AI-generated pictures.

Grok is a no-cost artificial intelligence—with some additional features—which answers X users' queries when they mention it in a post.

It is commonly used to provide reactions or additional context to other users' remarks, but people on X are also able to modify an uploaded photo through its AI image editing feature.

History of Controversy and Rules

The tool has been criticised for permitting users to generate pictures and videos with nudity and sexualised content, and it was in the past accused of generating inappropriate material of celebrities.

"X has been allowing the generation and distribution of these images for a long time without taking any measures and we have not witnessed any action by oversight bodies," Professor McGlynn added.

XAI's own usage rules forbids "showing images of individuals in a pornographic fashion".

In a comment, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "make or circulate private pictures or child sexual abuse material" and clarified this covered explicit AI images made with AI.

It said platforms such as X were obligated to take "necessary actions" to "reduce the risk" of users viewing illegal material on their services and to remove it promptly when they become aware of it.