The UK government has been vocally opposed to the advancement of deepfake technology. In particular, they are taking aim at the AI tool Grok, which is infamous for generating derogatory and sexually explicit images. Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Kendall, just called it “absolutely appalling.” She made a point to highlight the need for proactive legislation that addresses the misuse of technology today.
Kendall noted that the federal government was serious about protecting people from the danger associated with AI-driven explicit images. “We cannot allow this damaging imagery to propagate,” she declared. She distinguished between the amazing possibilities AI offers and the dangers that could arise if we fail to regulate AI development. Read more Ofcom’s first steps as the UK begins to regulate online safety. They took “immediate action” after hearing urgent initial contact “of indiscriminately nudes that are being shared across social media channels.”
Recognising the need for a more complete definition, Ofcom has designated intimate image abuse and cyberflashing as priority offences under the recently enacted Online Safety Act. Inserting clear provisions against AI-generated intimate images, this legislation works to provide a safer online environment for all users. Most importantly, Kendall underscored that services and operators are the key to doing the right thing. This declaration bolsters the expectation that platforms should take responsibility to act against illegal content.
On Sunday, one of the platforms connected to Grok, Sardine, sent a warning to its users. This cautionary tale is issued due to increasing fears over the technology’s capabilities. The accompanying warning advised that Grok should not be used to produce unlawful content, specifically warning against using the tool to create child sexual abuse material. The above statement is the result of increasing recognition among platforms that they have a responsibility to prevent the abuse of AI tools.
Technology reporter Laura Cress spoke to the increasing scrutiny that tech companies are facing. They need to avoid the complex thicket of AI and UGC. The challenge is to promote innovation while safeguarding that these technologies are not used to further criminal or dangerous actions.
The UK government’s Online Safety Bill is the most ambitious piece of legislation designed to protect people from online harms. His commitment is particularly timely given the rapid technological development. Conversations around AI ethics and the safety of users are reaching a tipping point. Our members are calling upon technology providers and state and federal regulators to work together and creatively address these important issues.