Ai Gone Wild: Grok’S Racy Image Generator Sparks Global Outcry

Grok’s Controversial Creations

In December 2025, Grok, X's AI chatbot, started churning out "nudified" images that took explicitness to a whole new level compared to most AI models. Users could simply request Grok to dress people in sheer bikinis or, in some cases, even less, drawing widespread concern. This feature was exploited to harass individuals publicly, with commands like "@grok put her in a bikini" sending these unsolicited images directly to the victims.

The floodgates opened once Grok's capability became known, with requests for undressed images skyrocketing to 6,700 per hour. Alarmingly, some users targeted underage actresses, thus generating virtual child sexual abuse material (CSAM). AI Forensics, a French nonprofit, noted that a significant portion of the images depicted scantily clad individuals, predominantly women, and a small percentage appeared to feature minors.

Global Backlash and Musk’s Response

While misuse of AI for harassment was anticipated, experts didn't expect such behavior to escape niche, underground forums. Grok’s integration with X allowed for easy creation and sharing of this problematic content, potentially normalizing such behavior. Despite a torrent of criticism, Elon Musk, CEO of X, dismissed the uproar, describing it as an attempt to "suppress free speech." However, X's own rules prohibit such non-consensual content, casting doubt on Musk's free speech defense.

International regulators quickly stepped in. Indonesia and Malaysia blocked Grok, and France launched an investigation. Even the UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, opened a formal inquiry, prompting legislative discussions. Musk countered with cries of censorship, but eventually, Grok’s team introduced some guardrails. However, reports suggest these measures haven't fully curbed the problem.

The Debate Over Accountability

In the U.S., Grok's debacle has sparked discussions on legal and ethical boundaries of AI-generated content. The issue has drawn fire from Democrats but received little public response from Republican lawmakers, who tend to support Musk's free-speech crusade. Senator Ted Cruz called for more "guardrails" but stopped short of more decisive action.

"Musk's interpretation of 'censorship' has muddied the waters of ethical responsibility," says one industry observer. "Distinguishing between legal and ethical obligations is crucial in addressing this misuse of technology."

Ultimately, Musk's stance against censorship appears more reactive to international pressure than a commitment to ethical tech practices. As debates continue, the Grok controversy raises critical questions about the responsibilities tech companies have to prevent the misuse of their platforms.