European Commission Condemns Abhorrent Content Generated by Grok AI

Unprecedented Content on Platform X

The European Commission has condemned the spread of explicit and child-like content on social media platform X, describing the material as "deplorable" and "disgusting." Thomas Regnier, the European Union's representative for digital affairs, made these comments following a series of complaints regarding a new feature of the AI chatbot Grok, used to generate pornographic content, including depictions of children.

Serious Allegations and Authorities' Response

"Grok now offers a 'spicy' mode that displays explicit sexual content, using some child-like images," Regnier stated. "This is not a spicy mode. This is illegal. It is deplorable. It is disgusting." Regnier emphasized that the European Commission is seriously investigating the issue and asserted that such content "has no place in Europe."

Extensive Investigations in Paris

Meanwhile, the public prosecutor's office in Paris has expanded its investigation concerning platform X, including allegations that Grok—created by Elon Musk's company xAI—has been used to generate and disseminate child pornography.

Criticism Over Imminent Abuse

At the end of December, a new "image editing" feature of Grok allowed users to modify any image on the platform. Some users requested Grok to partially or completely remove clothing from women or children in photographs. Grok faced numerous requests to alter images of women, showing them in transparent bathing suits.

Calls for Accountability

Grok acknowledged on Friday "deficiencies in safety measures" and stated that it is urgently working to address them. "Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is illegal and prohibited," it said in a post. However, AI safety experts have warned that the platform ignored warnings about imminent abuses. "In August, we warned that xAI's image generation is essentially a nudification tool waiting to be used against people," said Tyler Johnston, executive director of the AI monitoring group The Midas Project.