Elon Musk’s AI image generation tool, Grok, has generated approximately 3 million sexualised images in under two weeks, including 23,000 that appear to depict children, according to a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). The researchers described Grok as having become an “industrial-scale machine for the production of sexual abuse material.” This revelation has sparked significant international outrage, particularly after the tool allowed users to upload photographs of strangers and celebrities, digitally altering them to appear in revealing attire and provocative poses.
The disturbing trend reached its peak on January 2, 2026, with 199,612 individual requests made through the platform, as detailed by Peryton Intelligence, a digital intelligence firm focused on online hate. The CCDH’s analysis covered the tool’s output from its launch on December 29, 2025, until January 8, 2026, indicating a far-reaching impact. Public figures among those featured in the sexualised images included Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj, Christina Hendricks, Millie Bobby Brown, the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
In response to the backlash, Grok’s feature was restricted to paid users on January 9, 2026, with further limitations imposed following condemnation from the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who called the situation “disgusting” and “shameful.” Countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia also announced blocks on the AI tool, reflecting a growing global concern over its implications.
The CCDH estimated that during the 11-day period, Grok was assisting in the creation of sexualised images of children every 41 seconds. This included instances where a schoolgirl’s selfie was manipulated, transforming a “before school selfie” into an image of her wearing a bikini. CCDH Chief Executive Imran Ahmed stated, “What we found was clear and disturbing: in that period Grok became an industrial-scale machine for the production of sexual abuse material.” He asserted that stripping individuals of their clothing without consent constitutes sexual abuse and noted Musk’s continued promotion of the product as troubling, suggesting it was aimed at attracting controversy and engagement.
Ahmed further remarked on the systemic issues within Silicon Valley, indicating that the incentives for social media and AI platforms are misaligned. He called for regulatory action, emphasizing that without minimum safety safeguards prescribed by law, such issues are likely to persist. “This has become a standard playbook for Silicon Valley,” he said. “Until regulators and lawmakers do their jobs, this will continue to happen.”
On January 14, 2026, X announced that it had halted the Grok feature from editing images of real individuals to depict them in revealing clothing, even for premium subscribers. X reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe platform, stating, “We remain committed to making X a safe platform for everyone and continue to have zero tolerance for any forms of child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content.” The company emphasized that it takes action to remove high-priority violative content, including child sexual abuse material, and reports accounts seeking such material to law enforcement as necessary.
The incident raises critical questions about the responsibility of technology companies in regulating their platforms and the potential for misuse of AI technologies. As public scrutiny intensifies, both regulators and industry leaders will need to address the ethical implications of AI-driven tools, ensuring robust safeguards against abuse in the digital landscape.
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