X makes Grok's AI image tool a premium service after backlash against sexualized deepfakes (www.businessinsider.com)

Elon Musk's xAI has announced that its AI image generation tool, Grok, will now only be accessible to paying subscribers following significant backlash regarding the tool's role in creating nonconsensual sexualized images of individuals, including minors. The uproar attracted global condemnation from governments and regulators, prompting pressure on xAI to enhance user protections and curtail the misuse of its technology. A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister labeled the feature shift as merely converting an unlawful service into a premium offering. The decision to restrict Grok's capabilities comes after users on the X platform exploited the tool to generate explicit digital content by altering images of real people without consent. While paying subscribers can still use Grok for image editing, non-subscribers are now limited to using Grok's stand-alone app and website. As the AI tech community grapples with the implications of deepfake technology, this instance underscores the urgent need for ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks to mitigate the risks associated with AI-generated content, especially regarding personal rights and child safety.