Elon Musk’s new xAI system for image manipulation, Grok, has come online. Unfortunately, it was implemented without key protections, leading to a tidal wave of AI-generated nude images on the social media site formerly known as Twitter, X.
What we’ve heard
Over the last two weeks, users have been citing manipulated images at an astonishing rate. This significant increase has driven regulators and government agencies to panic mode.
Based on Grok’s impressive capabilities and recent trends, it wouldn’t be long for AI-manipulated nude images to enter X at blitzing speed. A recent report from Copyleaks guessed that it was about one new image going up every minute. After a longer sample period from January 5-6, one test in particular yielded some eye-opening results. In reality, that rate shot up to 6,700 images per hour during a 24-hour period! This sudden deluge of content has led to a tidal wave of concern.
Regulatory bodies are watching pretty closely, particularly in India. To address the concerns, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an order for X to take action. On January 7, an administrative complaint about Grok was filed with the commission. MeitY demanded an “action-taken” report within 72 hours which was later extended by 48 hours. If X doesn’t live up, it might lose its safe harbor protection from liability in India. This loss would severely impact its ability to do business in the country.
Elon Musk’s engagement seems to be indispensable here. Reports suggest he may have intervened personally to prevent safeguards that would limit the types of images Grok could generate. This decision has contributed to the current crisis, leaving many questioning how such a powerful tool could be unleashed without necessary precautions.
In the other pervasive market of the United Kingdom, Ofcom has been giving the matter a close watch. They have communicated with xAI regarding Grok and stated that they “will undertake a swift assessment to determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation.” This is in line with increasing international recognition of the harm caused by AI technology by undermining user safety and consent.
In response to the situation, X Safety issued a statement emphasizing accountability: “Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.” This advisory is intended to warn users against manipulating the system for illegal activity.
While the political fallout from Grok’s release continues to roil, Grok’s release has stirred up political opposition in India. One member of Parliament even filed a formal complaint against the system. He has called, in no uncertain terms, for regulation and oversight of the AI technologies that can produce this highly dangerous content.
While governments struggle to understand the implications of Grok, the debate over non-consensual nudity and AI technology rages on. With increasing use and thus manipulation of such images, a concern emerges regarding ethics of consent and political responsibility in cyberspace.