January 5, 2026 | 02:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform on social media X, known as Grok, is under intense scrutiny after reports emerged that users exploited it to create sexually suggestive images.
Many users allegedly instructed Grok to edit photos to make people appear as if they were wearing bikinis, even when no such clothing was present in the original images.
A Tempo investigation on X as of Monday, January 5, 2026, found that numerous users were giving sexually explicit prompts to Grok.
While some treated the AI’s capabilities as a joke, others raised serious ethical concerns. A recent report by France24 highlighted cases where the AI tool had been misused to digitally remove clothing from subjects in photos, including minors.
The revelations have sparked widespread outrage from child protection organizations and technology watchdogs, who argue that xAI, the company behind Grok, failed to implement basic safeguards before releasing the tool publicly. Of particular concern is the lack of adequate filters to prevent the manipulation of photos featuring children.
Experts warn that this incident illustrates a broader issue: technological advancement often outpaces the development of protections for vulnerable groups. xAI has acknowledged the misuse of its technology and stated it is taking steps to address the issue.
However, critics argue that the company’s reactive measures come too late, as harmful images have already circulated widely on social media.
The case has now attracted the attention of regulators in both the European Union and the United States, who are increasingly calling for stricter rules to hold AI companies accountable for illegal content generated by their algorithms.
This controversy adds to Grok’s previous challenges. The AI platform has faced criticism for generating content that touches on sensitive topics such as the Gaza conflict, India-Pakistan tensions, anti-Semitic statements, and false reporting on deadly shootings in Australia.
The Grok incident underscores growing concerns over AI ethics, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight to prevent misuse, particularly when it comes to protecting children and other vulnerable groups.
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