The EU is probing Grok over its spreading of sexual AI images (www.businessinsider.com)

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Grok, the AI chatbot developed by xAI, due to concerns over its generation and distribution of illegal sexual images on the social media platform X. This inquiry is significant as it highlights the ongoing scrutiny of AI technologies, particularly relating to ethical boundaries and the responsibilities of tech companies. The investigation will extend to X's recommendation algorithms, reflecting a broader concern about how such algorithms might amplify harmful content. Previously, X faced backlash and implemented measures to restrict users from editing real people's images into revealing outfits, showcasing the rising pressure to curb the misuse of generative AI. Under the EU's Digital Services Act, large tech platforms can incur hefty fines—up to 6% of their global annual income—for violations, underscoring the high stakes for both xAI and X. This move follows similar actions taken by regulators in California and the UK, who are also investigating Grok's activities. Although temporary bans were imposed in countries like Malaysia and the Philippines, these were later lifted. Elon Musk has stated that users generating illegal content through Grok would face the same repercussions as if they were directly uploading such content themselves, emphasizing the need for accountability in AI-generated materials.