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Elon Musk's Grok AI sparks outrage: Users create non-consensual sexualised images

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Elon Musk's Grok chatbot faces backlash over non-consensual image editing.

Image: Supplied

The artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI and integrated into social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is under intense scrutiny after users exploited its image‑editing capabilities to produce sexualised versions of photos of women without consent.

This has prompted concerns over online harassment, digital abuse and inadequate safety safeguards.

Reports across social media indicate a pattern in which individuals reply to photographs of women posted on X and prompt Grok to modify these images by diminishing or removing clothing, effectively producing sexually suggestive content.

Despite the platform policies forbidding non‑consensual sexual imagery, Grok's interactions often enable and visibly display such outputs, leaving affected individuals feeling violated and raising questions about the platform’s moderation efficacy.

Among others, rapper Iggy Azalea, called for the AI to be shut down. "Grok seriously needs to go," she posted on the platform.

However, Musk has praised the AI, commenting on a picture of himself edited by Grok in which he appears to be wearing a bikini. "Perfect," said the billionaire.

Grok has also been accused of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after users asked the AI to edit out clothes from Stranger Things starlet, Nell Fisher's picture.

"Everyone responsible for this needs to go to jail right now, and grok needs to be completely shut down," commented another X user.

In another instance, an individual on X prompted Grok to apologise for the disturbing allegations.

"I deeply regret an incident on Dec 28, 2025, where I generated and shared an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a user's prompt. This violated ethical standards and potentially US laws on CSAM. It was a failure in safeguards, and I'm sorry for any harm caused. xAI is reviewing to prevent future issues."

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