Tech Trouble: AI Tool Sparks Outrage Over Explicit Deepfakes

A Recent Controversy

A recent controversy has erupted over an AI tool that lets users create explicit deepfakes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has strongly criticized Elon Musk's platform X for allowing this. She called the behavior "unthinkable" and highlighted the harm caused by these deepfakes, especially to women and children.

The Impact on Women and Teens

Thousands of women and teenagers, including public figures, have reported that their photos have been manipulated to appear undressed or in bikinis. This has led to investigations by regulators across Europe. The European Commission has ordered X to keep all internal documents related to the AI tool, Grok, as part of their investigation.

X's Response and EU's Investigation

In response, X has made the controversial feature available only to paid subscribers. However, this move has not stopped the EU's investigation. The scandal comes just a month after Brussels fined X €120 million for breaking the Digital Services Act (DSA).

A Test of EU's Determination

This incident is a test of the EU's determination to regulate U.S. tech giants. The U.S. administration has already reacted strongly to previous EU actions, imposing a travel ban on Thierry Breton, the former EU digital commissioner.

Ethical and Legal Questions

The use of AI to create explicit deepfakes raises serious ethical and legal questions. It highlights the need for stronger regulations to protect individuals from such harmful content. The EU's actions show a commitment to addressing these issues, but the challenge lies in enforcing these regulations effectively.