BY MIRABEL ODETA
Elon Musk said on Wednesday that he was unaware of any instances in which xAI’s Grok chatbot had generated illegal nude images involving underage individuals, pushing back against growing international criticism of the artificial intelligence tool.
Responding to concerns raised online, Musk wrote on his social media platform X that he had no knowledge of such content being produced by Grok, adding that there were “literally zero” cases to his awareness.
Musk’s remarks come at a time when both xAI and X are facing heightened scrutiny from governments, lawmakers, and advocacy organizations around the world. Critics have urged major technology companies, including Apple and Google, to remove Grok from their app stores, arguing that the AI tool poses risks related to the creation and spread of harmful and nonconsensual content.
At the same time, regulators in several countries have launched investigations, imposed bans, or signaled possible legal action over concerns about user safety and content moderation.
In his response, Musk emphasized that Grok is designed to reject illegal requests and operate in compliance with the laws of individual countries and jurisdictions.
He said the chatbot does not independently create images and only generates content in response to user prompts, stressing that safeguards are in place to prevent unlawful use. Musk has previously warned that anyone who uses Grok to create illegal material would face consequences similar to those imposed for uploading prohibited content directly to the platform.
Pressure on X and xAI has intensified in recent weeks, particularly in the United States. Three Democratic senators last week called on Apple and Google to remove X and its built-in AI chatbot from their app marketplaces, citing concerns over the spread of nonconsensual sexual imagery involving women and minors.
Their appeal was echoed by a coalition of women’s rights organizations, technology watchdogs, and progressive advocacy groups, who argue that current controls are insufficient to prevent abuse.
In response to the criticism, X recently limited Grok’s ability to publicly generate or edit images for many users. However, industry analysts and digital safety groups have said these measures may not go far enough. Some experts have warned that the AI system can still produce explicit content under certain conditions and that placing advanced features behind paywalls does not necessarily eliminate access to more powerful image-generation tools.
The issue has also drawn attention in Europe and Southeast Asia. In the United Kingdom, new laws are set to take effect this week that would criminalize the creation of certain harmful images. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that X is working with authorities to ensure compliance with the updated legal framework. Meanwhile, countries including Malaysia and Indonesia have already blocked access to Grok and are pursuing legal action against X and xAI, alleging failures to adequately prevent harmful content and protect users.
As governments move to tighten regulations around artificial intelligence and online safety, the controversy surrounding Grok highlights the growing challenges faced by tech companies as they balance rapid AI development with legal responsibilities and public concern
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