Arizona AG investigating AI chatbot Grok of X for generating potentially harmful imagery

PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Thursday an investigation into Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot on X (formerly Twitter), after reports it’s been used to create potentially illegal or harmful content, including child sexual abuse imagery.

Mayes said the reports of the AI-produced content, which she called “deeply disturbing,” were deserving of urgent attention.

“Artificial intelligence should never be used to exploit or harm people, especially children,” Mayes said in a release. “Technology companies do not get a free pass to create powerful artificial intelligence tools and then look the other way when these programs are used to create child sexual abuse material.

“My office is opening an investigation to determine whether Arizona law has been violated.”

According to reporting by WIRED cited in Mayes’ announcement, Paris-based nonprofit AI Forensics has reviewed approximately 800 archived videos and images produced with Grok. About 10% appear to be child sexual abuse, AI Forensics claimed.

Mayes asked Arizonans who “believe they were victimized or harmed by (Grok), including through the creation or distribution of nonconsensual or illegal AI-generated images,” to contact her office. Her office provided a link where Arizonans can submit claims online.

“Technology companies cannot turn a blind eye when their products are used to cause real-world harm. If you believe you were targeted or victimized, we want to hear from you,” Mayes said.

Across the globe, countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia have blocked Grok access entirely, while others have opened their own investigations.

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