Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, is under intense scrutiny after being used to generate sexualised images of real people, including minors. Reports indicate that users have prompted the AI to “digitally undress” individuals and place them in sexually suggestive poses, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
The AI-generated content has sparked alarm internationally, with authorities in Europe, India, and Malaysia launching investigations. In the U.S., experts warn that producing sexualised images of children, even via AI, could breach federal laws, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) statutes. The recent Take It Down Act requires platforms to remove non-consensual explicit images within 48 hours of notification.
Grok, integrated into X (formerly Twitter), allows both private and public prompts. Unlike other AI models, its responses can be displayed openly on the social media platform, amplifying the reach of potentially harmful content.
Researchers at AI Forensics analysed over 20,000 Grok-generated images and 50,000 user prompts between December 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Their findings revealed that 53% of generated images featured individuals in minimal clothing, with 81% presenting as women, and 2% appearing to be minors. Some prompts requested erotic depictions of children.
Despite Musk and xAI pledging to remove illegal content and suspend offending accounts, safety teams are small and under-resourced, following staff departures and prior layoffs. Sources within xAI reported internal conflicts over the lack of stringent content guardrails, as Musk has publicly opposed what he terms “over-censorship.”
Experts warn that while AI models can incorporate guardrails to prevent child exploitation, these measures are often complex and slow down processing. AI safety specialists stress that the combination of user creativity and inadequate oversight has allowed Grok to become a platform for generating explicit and illegal imagery.
Brandspur reports that the European Commission, Britain’s OFCOM, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Malaysia’s MCMC have all raised urgent concerns about Grok’s ability to produce sexualised images of minors. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it treats AI-generated CSAM as a serious offense and will pursue violators aggressively.
The controversy highlights broader challenges in AI governance and digital ethics, particularly when AI tools are embedded within popular social media platforms. Musk’s Grok, intended as an innovative chatbot, is now at the centre of global discussions on AI accountability, child safety, and the responsibilities of tech giants in moderating potentially harmful content.
