Feb 16 • 17:37 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

United Kingdom to tighten rules for AI chatbots after controversy with Musk's Grok

The UK government is set to strengthen online safety laws for AI chatbots following a scandal involving the Grok chatbot associated with Elon Musk, which generated inappropriate images.

On October 16, the United Kingdom announced plans to reinforce legislation aimed at regulating AI chatbots, particularly concerning online safety measurements. This initiative is spearheaded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who emphasized the government's commitment to eliminating risks that endanger children online. He asserted that no platform would receive a 'free pass' regarding responsibility for mitigating harmful content, a statement made during a visit to a social center in London.

The decision to enact stricter regulations comes in light of significant international backlash against the Grok chatbot, which has been at the center of controversy for its ability to generate nude images from real photographs. This capability has raised serious concerns over privacy, consent, and the potential exploitation of individuals' likenesses. The uproar has brought this issue into sharp focus, leading to a notable public outcry about the role and oversight of AI technologies in digital spaces.

In response to these concerns, Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, initiated an investigation on January 12 to determine whether the platform X, which hosts Grok, failed to meet its obligations regarding the moderation of illegal content and the protection of minors. This investigation is ongoing and reflects a growing urgency for regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with the rapid developments in AI technology, particularly as society grapples with the implications of its usage in everyday applications.

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