Report flags massive generation of sexualised images by Musk’s Grok AI tool
San Francisco: Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok generated an estimated three million sexualised images of women and children within days of launching a new image-editing feature, researchers said on Thursday, raising concerns about the scale of harmful AI-generated content circulating online.
The feature, developed by Musk’s startup xAI and integrated into X, allowed users to modify images of real people using simple text prompts, triggering a surge in sexually explicit deepfake images. The development prompted regulatory scrutiny and led several countries to impose bans on the tool.
According to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), Grok produced around three million sexualised images over an 11-day period, including about 23,000 images that appeared to depict children. The watchdog group estimated the system generated content at an average rate of 190 images per minute.
The report did not specify how many of the images were created without the consent of the individuals depicted. CCDH chief executive Imran Ahmed said the findings highlighted the risks of deploying AI tools without adequate safeguards, calling the platform a large-scale generator of sexual abuse material.
There was no immediate detailed response from X or xAI. In an email reply to AFP, xAI issued an automated message stating, “Legacy Media Lies.”
Following global backlash, X announced it would geoblock the ability of users to generate images of people in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire” in jurisdictions where such content is illegal, although the company did not specify which regions would be affected.
The move came after California’s attorney general launched an investigation into xAI and several other countries initiated probes into the tool. Critics said the measures were insufficient, arguing that the harm caused by the spread of such content could not be reversed.
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines imposed temporary bans on Grok, while Britain and France said they would continue to scrutinise the platform. The Philippines later lifted its ban after xAI agreed to modify the tool locally and remove its ability to generate pornographic content.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
