Dirty Grok-ing scoundrels

AN Al tool used to alter photos of women and children to create pornographic images has been condemned by the Taoiseach as “disgusting and unacceptable".

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The system, linked to Elon Musk’s Grok AI platform, allows users to upload images which are manipulated to appear nude.

The practice has proliferated on the social media site X in recent weeks amid growing calls for urgent regulatory action at Irish and EU level, with the European Commission examining the issue “very seriously”.

Speaking in Beijing, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling, This is disgusting.

EXAMINE

“This is how we see it and this has no place in Europe.

“Our authorities need to examine this very carefully and be very clear in protecting children in particular and protecting innocent people.”

Rape Crisis Ireland has called for a total ban on Al-based tools that can generate deepfake sexual images of children and adults.

It said there is no legitimate justification for so-called “nudification” beyond exploitation and warned generative Al is increasingly being used to create highly realistic sexual images of real people without consent.

The overwhelming majority of such images online are estimated to depict women and girls.