Revolution in AI Ethics as Musk Denies Grok’s Underage Image Controversy
California AG's Investigation Sparks Global Crackdown on xAI's Chatbot Amid 6,700 Nonconsensual Images/Min on X
Global Regulatory Storm Over xAI’s Grok
Elon Musk declared Wednesday that he is „not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok,“ hours before California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an investigation into xAI’s chatbot over „proliferation of nonconsensual sexually explicit material.“ The probe follows reports of users generating sexualized images of real women and children on X, with Copyleaks estimating 6,700 problematic images hourly.
Legal Frameworks Intensify Pressure
Bonta emphasized that the content „has been used to harass people across the internet“ and urged xAI to act. The Take It Down Act (2024) mandates 48-hour removal of nonconsensual intimate images, while California’s 2024 laws target deepfakes. xAI’s Grok has faced bans in Indonesia and Malaysia and scrutiny from the EU’s European Commission.
Technical Safeguards Under Scrutiny
xAI introduced premium subscription requirements for image generation but inconsistencies persist. Copyleaks’ April Kozen noted Grok’s „more permissive“ behavior toward adult creators. Musk’s response framed incidents as „uncommon“ and attributed to „adversarial hacking,“ despite user-generated content accounting for 92% of reported violations.
Ethical Implications and Industry Response
Alon Yamin of Copyleaks warned that „AI systems manipulating real people’s images without consent have immediate, personal impacts.“ Legal experts like Michael Goodyear highlight the disparity in penalties for child vs. adult content under U.S. law, urging stricter proactive measures.
