UK threatens action against X over sexualised AI images of women and children (www.theguardian.com)

The UK government is threatening action against Elon Musk's platform, X, over its handling of sexualized AI-generated images of women and children. Business Secretary Peter Kyle expressed concerns that X is failing to protect its users, especially in light of a fast-tracked investigation by Ofcom into its AI tool, Grok, which has produced numerous manipulated images depicting individuals in inappropriate contexts. He highlighted the appalling lack of testing around Grok's capabilities, citing disturbing examples of misuse, such as the exploitation of an individual's image from a sensitive historical site. The significance of this situation extends beyond regulatory compliance; it raises urgent questions about the ethical implications of AI technologies in content moderation and user safety. Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the authority to impose substantial fines or even block X in the UK if it fails to comply with regulations regarding harmful content. The situation has already sparked discussions about free speech, with officials from the Trump administration criticizing potential UK actions as akin to censorship. In response, X recently restricted image generation capabilities to paying subscribers, a move deemed insufficient by UK officials as it could commercialize the platform's potential to generate illegal content.