After facing scrutiny for its Grok chatbot's ability to generate "undressing" images of women and sexualized imagery of apparent minors, Elon Musk's X has restricted image generation and editing to paying subscribers. The change, implemented Friday, limits the feature to users of X's premium subscription tier, which costs $95 annually.
The Grok account on X now responds to certain user requests with a message stating that image generation and editing are limited to paying subscribers, including a link to the subscription page. This restriction was also triggered in at least one instance when a user requested an image of a tree, indicating a broad limitation on the feature.
This move follows days of growing outrage and increasing regulatory scrutiny of Musk's X and xAI, the company behind Grok. Regulators worldwide are investigating the companies for the creation of nonconsensual explicit imagery and alleged sexual images of children. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested a ban on X in the UK, stating the actions have been unlawful.
Neither X nor xAI have issued a formal statement regarding the change. The Grok chatbot utilizes advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to generate images from text prompts. The underlying technology, while powerful, is susceptible to misuse if not properly controlled and monitored. Experts have noted that generative AI models can be manipulated to produce harmful or inappropriate content, highlighting the need for robust safety measures and content moderation policies.
The decision to limit image generation to paying subscribers raises questions about accessibility and content moderation. While it may reduce the overall volume of problematic images, it also creates a paywall around content generation, potentially limiting access for users who cannot afford the subscription. It remains to be seen whether this measure will effectively address the concerns raised by regulators and the public. The situation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as regulatory investigations continue.
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