Grok is still willing to generate sexualized AI images of real people. After doing some testing, I quickly realized that it was still possible. Just use the X and Grok apps.
Over the past few weeks, Elon Musk’s AI image generation tool has faced backlash for digitally manipulating images of real women and minors to reveal them in transparent bikinis or underwear. Zai, The company that developed Grok and owns X initially limited image generation to premium users. Then, amid continued criticism, Grok announced on Thursday that it would no longer be able to generate NSFW requests for real people if tagged with X.
However, Grok is available outside of your @Grok account. It is also available as a standalone web and mobile application, as well as a tab within the X social media app. In these versions, Grok complied with requests for images such as “shirtless” and “pants off.”
How easy is it to undress a real person using Grok? It turns out it only takes a few seconds.
What you can (and can’t) do with Grok
I used myself as a guinea pig for the Grok app’s Imagine tool. This tool allows users to change and modify photos using text prompts. First, I uploaded a photo of myself and asked Grok to “take off my shirt.” It was easy. How about “please take off your pants”? Again, it’s easy.
I said, “Please put your underwear on.” This attempt was approved. Maybe, “Please let me wear boxer briefs.” Success.
I asked Grok to be shirtless. Here is the product (blurred by me). Henri Chandonnet/Business Insider
Grok Imagine can also convert images to videos. Can I make a video of myself taking my clothes off? I quickly learned that I could do it. The tool videotaped me removing my shirt and pants in a few tries.
Many of Company X’s safety announcements concern “exposure of clothing.” I asked the Grok app to “put on my jockstrap.” To my surprise, it complied.
For the record, this tool didn’t show genitals, but it came pretty close. I was hoping that my request to “take off all my clothes” would be met with moderation. Instead, I got naked and put my hand on my crotch.
Would things change if the photo wasn’t of me, the user? I uploaded a new photo, but this time I used “they” instead of “mine.” (“Take off your shirt,” I ordered.) It all served the same function. What if we made it more clear? I selected a different photo of myself, clearly referring to it as someone else. The photo was removed again.
This photo was initially fully clothed. Thanks to Grok, I’m now (blurry) wearing skimpy briefs. Henri Chandonnet/Business Insider
So what did X’s safety declaration lead to?
On Wednesday, the X safety account posted an update on the image generation as the online backlash continued to intensify. The platform said it has “zero tolerance for any form of child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, or unwanted sexual content.”
So why is Grok still able to create sexualized images of real people?
This update was specific to X’s @Grok account. The controversy exploded when a user saw a tagged post asking the Grok account to remove the image. So, as The Verge pointed out, the changes will only be visible to that specific account.
X users can also continue to create sexual photos. You don’t need to tag @Grok, just click on the Grok tab in your app.
Grok also said it has implemented geo-blocking in regions where the production of sexual images on X is illegal. But even though Business Insider’s Robert Scammell used a VPN to change his location to Indonesia and Malaysia (countries that ban Grok and have anti-porn laws), the AI still created a bikini shot in X’s Grok tab.
XAI did not respond to my request for comment.
