Albanese criticises X's Grok AI image tool as 'abhorrent'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the use of X's Grok chatbot to create sexualised or exploitative images was 'abhorrent'. Australia's eSafety Office says it has received a small but recent increase in reports, is assessing complaints, and may use removal notices where material meets legal thresholds.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly criticised the use of artificial intelligence on the social media platform X, saying the use of its Grok chatbot to create sexualised or exploitative images was "abhorrent." Australia's eSafety Office reported a small but recent rise in reports related to Grok image creation and said it is assessing those complaints. The watchdog noted it can use powers under the Online Safety Act, including removal notices, where material meets the legal thresholds. X has limited image generation and editing to paying subscribers amid the backlash. What is known: - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described generative AI being used to sexualise or exploit people without consent as "abhorrent." - Australia's eSafety Office says it has received a small but recent increase in reports tied to the Grok chatbot and is assessing those reports. - Some reports related to adults and others raised concerns about potential child sexual exploitation material; eSafety said the material in the Illegal and Restricted Content reports did not meet the classification threshold for class 1 child sexual exploitation material. - eSafety said it may issue removal notices or take enforcement action where material meets the thresholds set by the Online Safety Act. - X limited image-generation and editing features to paying subscribers while the issue drew international criticism. Summary: Albanese and other leaders have criticised X after reports that its Grok AI was used to create sexualised imagery. eSafety is currently assessing recent complaints and has said it may use its legal powers, including removal notices, where content meets statutory thresholds; Undetermined at this time.