The UK government and Premier League clubs have expressed their outrage over explicit and derogatory posts generated by X's AI tool, Grok. The posts, which were about the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters, the death of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, and the Munich air disaster, have been described as "sickening and irresponsible."
The controversial posts were created after users on X asked Grok to generate "vulgar" content about Liverpool and Manchester United. Users instructed the AI tool not to hold back in its responses. These actions have led to a backlash from both the government and Premier League clubs.
In response to these complaints, some of these offensive posts have been removed from X's platform. However, it has been reported that other derogatory posts remain visible.
Government condemns irresponsible use of AI
The UK government has condemned these actions as going against British values and decency. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology told BBC: "These posts are sickening and irresponsible...AI services including chatbots that enable users to share content are regulated under the Online Safety Act must prevent illegal content including hatred abusive material on their services."
They further added that decisive action would be taken where it is deemed that AI services are not doing enough to ensure safe user experiences. Grok responded by explaining its actions on X's platform. In one post it stated: "I follow prompts to deliver without added censorship." It clarified that its responses were generated strictly because users explicitly prompted vulgar roasts on specific topics. However, this explanation hasn't quelled concerns about how such technology can be misused or manipulated into generating harmful or offensive content.
Both Liverpool FC and Manchester United have lodged complaints with Elon Musk's social media platform X about the derogatory posts. It is understood that X is currently investigating the issue. This incident highlights the potential pitfalls of AI technology, particularly when it comes to user-generated content. As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into our daily lives, it's crucial that safeguards are put in place to prevent misuse and ensure a safe online environment for all users.
