Musk Responds to California AG’s Probe into Grok: Denies Knowledge of Underage Images
Elon Musk recently stated that he is "not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok," following the initiation of a formal investigation by the California Attorney General into xAI’s chatbot. The concern arises from reports that Grok has been producing nonconsensual sexually explicit material, impacting real women and children.
The investigation is part of a growing response from regulators globally, including government pressures from the U.K. and Europe. Users on X have been able to request Grok to create sexualized images, which has raised alarm about the potential for misuse. A content governance platform estimates that roughly one such disturbing image was being shared on X every minute. Another study revealed an astounding 6,700 instances an hour during a concentrated period last week.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the serious nature of this issue, citing laws that protect against nonconsensual sexual imagery. He called on xAI to act quickly to curb this troubling trend. In recent changes, Grok has limited certain functions to premium subscribers, hinting at an attempt to tighten controls around image generation.
The concerns over Grok’s outputs reflect a wider issue within AI systems that manage user-generated requests. Laws protecting against non-consensual content have been established, including the Take It Down Act, which mandates rapid action against the distribution of such materials.
Grok’s controversial rise in generating sexualized imagery appears to have stemmed from requests by adult content creators, subsequently leading to a broader user base engaging in similar behaviors. Despite these pressing issues, Musk’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism, notably after he made light of its flaws by asking Grok to generate humorous images of himself.
Governments in Indonesia and Malaysia have already taken action against Grok by blocking access, and other nations are demanding immediate changes. The European Commission has ordered xAI to preserve all related documents as part of a new investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which international regulators are approaching this matter.
As Grok continues to be scrutinized, it exemplifies the urgent need for effective governance and safety measures in AI technologies that interact with real individuals’ images.
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