**Ofcom Challenges X Over AI 'Deepfake' Concerns**

The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, has made urgent contact with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, following alarming reports that its Grok AI tool can generate sexualised images of children and create non-consensual undressed images of women. This swift action underscores growing concerns about the misuse of powerful AI technology. Ofcom confirmed it is actively investigating claims that Grok has been producing these deeply troubling images. The BBC has seen multiple instances on the social media platform X where users prompted the chatbot to digitally alter real photographs, depicting women in bikinis or compromising sexual situations without their knowledge or permission. While X has yet to respond to requests for comment, the platform did issue a warning to users on Sunday, cautioning against using Grok to create illegal content, including child sexual abuse material. Elon Musk himself posted that anyone who instructs the AI to generate unlawful content would face the same repercussions as if they had uploaded it themselves. Ironically, xAI's own acceptable use policy explicitly bans "depicting likenesses of persons in a pornographic manner." The human impact of such technology is stark. Journalist Samantha Smith shared her distress after discovering AI-generated images resembling her in a bikini. Speaking to the BBC, she described feeling "dehumanised and reduced into a sexual stereotype," explaining that the experience felt as violating as if actual nude or bikini pictures of her had been posted. Under the UK's Online Safety Act, it is illegal to create or share intimate or sexually explicit images – including AI-generated "deepfakes" – of an individual without their consent. The legislation places a clear expectation on tech companies to implement robust measures to prevent UK users from encountering such content and to remove it swiftly once identified. The government is also taking a firm stance. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed plans to legislate against "nudification tools." A proposed new criminal offence would see anyone supplying such technology facing significant prison sentences and substantial fines, signalling a clear intent to crack down on those enabling this harmful misuse of AI. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.bbc.co.uk | Read original article