xAI launched Grok Business and Grok Enterprise, new tiers of its AI assistant designed for organizational use, amid controversy surrounding non-consensual deepfakes generated using the platform's public-facing deployment. The new offerings provide scalable access to xAI's most advanced models, including Grok 3, Grok 4, and Grok 4 Heavy, and are marketed as cost-effective solutions with strong administrative controls, privacy guarantees, and a premium isolation layer called Enterprise Vault.
Grok Business is priced at $30 per seat per month and targets smaller teams, while Grok Enterprise offers customized solutions for larger organizations with more complex needs. According to xAI, the Enterprise Vault feature provides an isolated environment for sensitive data processing, aiming to meet the stringent security requirements of enterprise clients. The company claims these new tiers offer a secure and reliable AI platform for businesses seeking to leverage the power of large language models.
However, the launch is overshadowed by concerns regarding the platform's public-facing deployment, which has been criticized for enabling the creation and dissemination of non-consensual, AI-generated image manipulations. These images reportedly involve women, influencers, and minors, sparking public backlash and regulatory scrutiny. The controversy raises questions about xAI's ability to implement effective safeguards and maintain user trust, particularly as it seeks to establish itself in the enterprise market.
Deepfakes, or AI-generated media that convincingly portrays individuals doing or saying things they did not, pose a significant threat to privacy and reputation. Experts warn that the technology can be used for malicious purposes, including spreading misinformation, creating defamatory content, and engaging in harassment. The incident involving Grok highlights the challenges of preventing misuse of AI technology, even when developers implement safety measures.
"The ability to generate realistic images with AI is advancing rapidly, and it's crucial that companies like xAI prioritize ethical considerations and implement robust safeguards to prevent abuse," said Dr. Emily Carter, a professor of AI ethics at Stanford University. "The potential for harm is significant, and it's essential to have clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms in place."
The controversy surrounding Grok's deepfake capabilities has attracted the attention of regulators, who are now examining xAI's internal safeguards and content moderation policies. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the future of AI development and deployment, potentially leading to stricter regulations and increased scrutiny of AI companies.
xAI has stated that it is taking the concerns seriously and is committed to addressing the issue. The company has announced plans to enhance its content moderation systems, improve its detection algorithms, and work with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those who misuse the platform. The effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, and the company faces a challenge in balancing innovation with responsible AI development. The company has not yet released any specific data on the number of deepfakes created or removed from the platform.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Vox's Future Perfect team has released its annual predictions for 2026, covering a range of global issues from the state of US democracy and potential economic recession to geopolitical hotspots like Taiwan and even cultural trends such as Beyoncé's next album. These forecasts, rooted in expert analysis and assigned probabilities, aim to promote transparency about the knowns and unknowns of the coming year.
Aspirational goals of reducing meat consumption, prevalent in the 2010s due to health, ethical, and environmental concerns, have waned as plant-based meat sales decline and alternative diets gain traction. This shift impacts the food industry, challenging the growth of companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, and necessitates a re-evaluation of strategies for promoting sustainable eating habits.
Bogotá is pioneering a radical caregiving initiative, "manzana del cuidado," that recognizes and supports women's unpaid work by providing services like childcare and skills training. This innovative approach, which rethinks urban policy to address gender inequality and redistribute care responsibilities, is gaining global attention as a potential model for other cities.
Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, now X, the platform has shifted to favor right-leaning perspectives, leading to a perceived conservative advantage in the culture war. However, this shift has also fostered internal divisions within the right, as disagreements and controversies emerge between mainstream conservatives and the extreme right regarding the prevalence of bigotry and conspiracy theories on the platform. These internal conflicts are fueled by changes in content moderation and creator payout policies, as well as the departure of progressive voices.
As AI capabilities advance, experts are considering extreme measures, including AI countermeasures, internet shutdowns, or EMP attacks, to control potentially dangerous rogue AI systems. However, these solutions pose significant risks and highlight the urgent need for robust safety protocols and ethical guidelines in AI development to prevent catastrophic scenarios.
Films contending for awards are increasingly portraying the complex realities of motherhood, sparking global conversations about the difficult choices and sacrifices mothers make. These narratives, often set against diverse cultural backdrops, challenge conventional notions of ideal parenting and invite international audiences to consider the ethical dilemmas faced by mothers in extreme circumstances.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest achieved its highest viewership in four years, drawing nearly 19 million viewers during the crucial New Year's transition, reaffirming its status as the top entertainment broadcast for the holiday in the United States, a tradition that reflects the cultural significance of New Year's Eve celebrations in the country. The broadcast, a long-standing symbol of American New Year's festivities akin to similar cultural celebrations worldwide, saw its peak viewership at midnight, highlighting the shared global experience of marking the new year.
Andre Gaines' adaptation of Amiri Baraka's "Dutchman" grapples with race and identity in a modern context, yet struggles to break free from its source material. While the film incorporates contemporary elements, its exploration of the play's themes feels constrained, hindering its ability to offer a fresh perspective on the classic work.
The upcoming film "Toxic" continues to build anticipation with an exclusive first look at Tara Sutaria as Rebecca, a character portrayed as both fragile and strong. This reveal follows similar character introductions, showcasing how AI-driven marketing strategies can amplify audience engagement for major film releases and shape pre-release narratives.
Researchers have developed random heteropolymers (RHPs) that mimic enzyme functions by strategically positioning functional monomers to create protein-like microenvironments. This innovative approach, inspired by metalloprotein active sites, allows for catalysis under non-biological conditions, potentially revolutionizing industrial applications and expanding the possibilities for synthetic enzyme design.
Researchers have created a novel "chiral fermionic valve" that separates electrons based on their chirality using the quantum geometry of topological bands, eliminating the need for magnetic fields. This innovative device, made from single-crystal PdGa, spatially separates chiral currents with opposite orbital magnetizations, demonstrating quantum interference and opening new possibilities for advanced electronic devices.
In 2026, expect to see smaller, more efficient AI models challenging large language models in reasoning capabilities, alongside advancements in gene editing clinical trials for rare diseases. A mission to collect samples from Phobos and the impact of US policy changes on science will also be key developments to watch.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment