Ofcom’s inquiry into the systemic risks posed by Elon Musk’s Grok AI for enabling the creation of sexualised images on X has created a significant, foreseeable liability for UK businesses, says Paul Armstrong

Many UK businesses seem unwilling to admit it, but they are now operating in dicey waters on X, that. Is it time to stop Grok and roll?

Ofcom has moved from commentary into procedure over Grok enabling sexualised AI imagery to be created and then put on X, a move that changes the nature of exposure to anyone, or company, using X. While Musk believes this to be a freedom of speech issue, in reality, most companies aren’t in business to fight for his right to allow people to make sexually explicit content and distribute it next to their tweets about 10 per cent off their next pack of Wotsits.

Grok is Elon’s answer to ChatGPT, and in recent days he’s moved to curb, not stop, people making pornographic images using the tool in the hopes to calm Starmer and pals. Elon’s free speech push is, simply put, going to cost most businesses money to check risk exposure, flip marketing plans, and more. Boards should recognise this moment clearly, because regulators rarely open systemic investigations without believing leverage already exists.

Corporate behaviour often waits for outcomes whereas governance tends to work on signals and direction of play. Many companies will be looking at their campaign performance, follower counts, and crisis playbooks asking: is it worth it? Mere presence becomes a defacto posture on the side of a ‘debate’ most don’t want to discuss at work. Insurers will be rubbing their hands gleefully, while risk and compliance pop paracetamol. Expect to be asked why the platform remained acceptable while pornography was being actively created and distributed. When employee safety, impersonation, and harassment risks........

© City A.M.