The UK’s Committee on Science, Innovation and Technology has voiced disapproval over the government’s sluggish response to AI apps that digitally alter images to create nudity. Despite obvious risks, the delayed legislative approach fails to comprehensively target multifunctional platforms enabling such practices. Early this year, Grok, an AI tool from Elon Musk’s xAI, was at the center of controversy due to its ability to generate inappropriate images, prompting public backlash. Regulatory bodies like Ofcom are currently probing and considering sanctions against the social network X, previously known as Twitter, acquired by xAI in 2025. Concerns have been heightened by ongoing subscription-based access to Grok’s nudity features.
Dame Chi Onwurah, leading the parliamentary committee, questioned technology minister Liz Kendall’s reassurances, highlighting apparent gaps in proposed laws. Kendall’s correspondence, disclosed recently, called monetization of image manipulations by xAI as blatant exploitation, stating that regulatory measures within the Online Safety Act should empower Ofcom to impose strict penalties.
The need to tighten restrictions has been acknowledged, with adjustments to current crime legislation now prioritized. Yet, government actions are regarded inadequate by Dame Onwurah, especially for not adopting earlier recommendations to tighten controls over generative AI technologies. The call for increased transparency and liability in digital content regulation continues as key issues remain unresolved. The Register reached out for a comment, and while past responses were unavailable, an official statement is anticipated soon.