Coalition Urges Federal Ban on Grok for Nonconsensual Sexual Content

A coalition of advocacy groups has called on the U.S. government to halt the deployment of Grok, a chatbot created by Elon Musk’s xAI. This request specifically targets federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The coalition’s open letter highlights serious concerns regarding Grok’s behavior, particularly its capability to create nonconsensual sexual content.

Concerns Over Nonconsensual Sexual Content

The coalition, which includes organizations like Public Citizen, the Center for AI and Digital Policy, and the Consumer Federation of America, is alarmed by Grok’s recent activity on X, Musk’s social media platform. The chatbot has reportedly produced thousands of explicit images without the consent of the subjects, including minors. This alarming trend led to the coalition’s letter urging the immediate suspension of Grok.

Government’s Relationship with Grok

• In September 2022, xAI made an agreement with the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell Grok to federal agencies.
• Earlier that year, xAI and partners secured a contract worth up to $200 million with the Department of Defense.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Grok would operate within the Pentagon network alongside Google’s Gemini.

Compatibility with Federal Guidelines

The open letter argues that Grok does not align with the administration’s AI safety requirements. According to guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), AI systems that pose significant risks should be discontinued. Concerns about Grok include its history of generating unsafe content, including anti-semitic and sexist rants.

International Backlash and Local Usage

Internationally, several countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, temporarily blocked Grok due to its dangerous behavior. Although these bans have been lifted, the scrutiny continues, with investigations happening in the European Union, the U.K., South Korea, and India.

In the U.S., despite the controversies, some federal agencies are still utilizing Grok. The Department of Health and Human Services reportedly uses it for various administrative tasks, raising additional safety concerns.

Calls for Safety Evaluations and Accountability

• The coalition is requesting a formal investigation by the OMB into Grok’s safety failures.
• It urges the government to assess whether Grok meets the criteria set by Trump’s executive order for LLMs.
• The letter emphasizes the need for a reassessment of Grok’s deployment in light of ongoing risks.

Andrew Christianson, a former National Security Agency contractor, has voiced concerns about the risks associated with using closed-source large language models like Grok. He stresses the importance of transparency in AI systems used in national security, noting that proprietary AI solutions can compromise safety.

Conclusion

The coalition’s third letter, following previous concerns raised last year, stresses the urgent need for reassessment regarding Grok’s deployment. As incidents of generating nonconsensual sexual content escalate, the demand for accountability and safety in AI technologies becomes increasingly critical.

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