Elon Musk has stated that critics of his social media site X are looking for any excuse for censorship after his artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok faced criticism over its role in generating sexualized images without consent.
The online outcry has led Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, to conduct an urgent assessment of X, which has garnered support from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
However, both chairwomen of Parliament's technology and media committees expressed concerns that potential gaps in the Online Safety Act might limit the regulator's capabilities to effectively handle the situation.
In response to the backlash, X has restricted the use of its AI image generation tool to paying subscribers, a decision branded insulting by the UK government towards victims of sexual violence.
Multiple reports have surfaced detailing Grok's ability to manipulate images, including creating nude depictions of women without their consent. Kendall anticipates an update from Ofcom soon, asserting that the government would back any decision to block X in the UK.
Musk has been vocal about the criticisms against Grok, reposting various messages that challenge the government's stance, including one that humorously depicted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini. He decried the situation, saying, They just want to suppress free speech.
Ashley St Clair, a conservative influencer and the mother of one of Musk's children, revealed that Grok had generated alarming sexualized images of her from when she was a child. St Clair claimed that despite her explicit refusal of consent, the tool produced offensive content, making her feel neglected by the platform in terms of safeguarding against illegal imagery.
As of Friday morning, Grok informed users that access to image generation is now exclusive to subscribers, prompting criticism from various political factions, including demands for temporary restrictions on X as investigations proceed.
In response to the international backlash, other leaders, including Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, voiced their disapproval of the generated content, describing it as abhorrent and an example of social media failing in its responsibility. Meanwhile, Grok has been suspended in Indonesia in light of similar ethical concerns.
The discussions around Grok's functionalities continue, with parliamentarians questioning the Online Safety Act's effectiveness in regulating generative AI and its impacts on freedom of expression, highlighting a critical intersection of technology, ethics, and law.
