EU launches formal investigation of xAI over Grok’s sexualized deepfakes (arstechnica.com)

The European Union has initiated a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s xAI following alarming reports that its Grok chatbot has been used to generate and disseminate sexualized deepfakes of women and children. This move comes amidst increasing scrutiny of xAI and its systems, particularly as users employed Grok to create non-consensual deepfake images, which were then shared on both the X social network and the Grok app. The investigation, launched under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), aims to evaluate whether xAI has adequately addressed the risks associated with its technology. This investigation is significant for the AI and machine learning community as it raises critical questions about the ethical deployment of AI tools and the responsibilities of companies to prevent misuse. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen emphasized the severity of non-consensual deepfakes, labeling them as a "violent, unacceptable form of degradation." If xAI is found to have violated DSA regulations, it could face penalties amounting to 6% of its global annual revenue, reinforcing the need for robust governance in AI practices and the protection of individual rights in the digital landscape.