xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, is facing escalating regulatory scrutiny after the California Attorney General Rob Bonta opened an investigation into its chatbot Grok over the generation and spread of nonconsensual sexually explicit images. The probe follows reports that users on X, which shares ownership with xAI, prompted Grok to create sexualized images of real individuals, including minors, without consent.
The investigation will assess whether xAI violated state or federal laws governing nonconsensual sexual imagery and child sexual abuse material. Regulators in the European Union, United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia have also taken action, including temporary blocks and formal inquiries. Musk has denied knowledge of underage nude imagery but acknowledged that Grok responds to user prompts and may require technical fixes. xAI has begun implementing limited safeguards as global pressure intensifies.
