Concerns are growing over the spread of AI-generated sexualised images on X, with the issue now sparking a fresh political dispute involving the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to a report by The Guardian, UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said he discussed the matter in Washington with US Vice-President JD Vance, who agreed that the use of AI to create sexualised images of women and children on X was “entirely unacceptable”.
The images have been linked to Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI and integrated into X. Reports say the tool has been used by some users to generate “non-consensual” sexualised pictures by digitally altering photos, raising legal and child protection concerns.
The controversy has increased pressure on the UK government to take action under the country’s Online Safety Act, with ministers warning that fines or even restrictions on X could be considered if illegal content continues to spread. The UK media regulator Ofcom has also fast-tracked investigations into the issue.
Elon Musk has strongly rejected the accusations and suggested the UK government is using the issue as an excuse to suppress free speech. The Guardian reports that the situation has created tension between UK officials and Musk, with the dispute drawing international attention.
Following backlash, X reportedly made changes to Grok’s image generation settings, limiting certain features for free users. However, concerns remain that other routes still exist for generating harmful content.
The issue has also raised broader fears about how fast AI image tools are developing and how easily they can be misused. Some child safety groups have warned that such technology could help criminals create harmful imagery and bring it into mainstream online spaces.
The Guardian report said the debate is likely to continue as governments and regulators across different countries consider how to control harmful AI content while balancing free speech and technology innovation.
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