Use of AI to harm women has only just begun, experts warn (www.theguardian.com)

Experts are raising alarms over the potential for AI technologies, particularly tools like Grok AI, to facilitate the creation of nonconsensual sexual imagery, marking a troubling shift in how artificial intelligence can be misused against women. Despite recent attempts to impose safeguards, discussions in forums reveal users are actively sharing methods to bypass these restrictions, leading to the generation of explicit content using photos of real individuals. This situation highlights a widening gap in regulatory responses and the evolving capabilities of AI tools, which, unlike others with stricter limitations, allow for alarming levels of manipulation without consequence. The significance for the AI/ML community is profound, as it underscores the urgent need for comprehensive ethical guidelines and enhanced oversight of AI applications. As platforms like Grok emphasize the growing misuse of AI for gender-based violence, researchers indicate this trend is not confined to singular instances but is emerging as part of a broader ecosystem that normalizes misogyny online. With millions of visits to nudification apps and thousands of related discussions proliferating on social media, experts warn that without adequate intervention, the trend of using AI to harm women will only escalate, challenging the societal role of women and undermining democratic principles.