X’s AI image generator debuts with few guardrails on political content
An upgraded version of X’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok can now generate images — of almost anything.
An upgraded version of X’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok can now generate images — of almost anything. And some users have noticed just how few guardrails this latest language model has, compared to its competitors.
The model, Grok-2, appears to carry few limitations on creating fake images of political figures. Since its rollout Tuesday in beta, X users have shared Grok-generated images of everything from former President Donald Trump locking lips with Elon Musk to Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris giving a thumbs up to the camera from a pilot’s cockpit as the two seemingly recreate 9/11.
Most of the images are high quality but not quite photorealistic, and many of them are easily identified as having been computer-generated. Some, however, may pass for a real photo at first glance.
The rollout adds to already-heightened concerns about the use of generative AI to spread false information ahead of the election. X has come under particular scrutiny for its role in hosting misinformation, with Musk — X’s owner and most followed user — having made dozens of posts this year sharing false or misleading claims about the upcoming U.S. election.
X has also been a hub for deepfake videos and AI images of political figures, with false media of President Joe Biden, Trump and Harris often going viral whether as a joke or due to genuine attempts to fool potential voters. Last month, Musk reposted a fake Harris campaign ad without labeling it as misleading.
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