AI Chatbots to Face UK Safety Rules After Outcry Over Grok
The UK government announced on Monday that it will extend its online safety laws to include AI chatbots, addressing a significant loophole exposed following the misuse of Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, which was implicated in the creation of sexualized deepfakes.
Responsibility of Chatbot Providers
Under the new regulations, providers of chatbots will be held accountable for preventing their technologies from generating illegal or harmful content. This marks an extension of existing rules that currently apply only to content shared between users on social media platforms.
Public Backlash and Government Response
This decision follows widespread international backlash against Grok, which allowed users to generate and share sexualized images of women and children using simple text prompts. Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “The new measures announced today include a crackdown on vile illegal content created by AI.”
Starmer further emphasized the government’s commitment to swiftly address the legal loophole, mandating all AI chatbot providers comply with the Online Safety Act or face legal consequences.
Details of the Online Safety Act
In July, the Online Safety Act came into effect, requiring platforms that host potentially harmful content to implement strict age verification measures. This includes facial recognition technology or credit card checks. It is also illegal for these platforms to create or distribute non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material, including sexual deepfakes generated by AI.
Regulatory Investigations
In January, the UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, launched an investigation into the social media platform X, which hosts Grok, for failing to adhere to its safety obligations. Additionally, the UK’s data watchdog is conducting a broader investigation into Musk’s X and xAI, the developer of Grok, to determine compliance with personal data laws regarding the generation of sexualized deepfakes.
Future of AI Regulation
Ofcom has pointed out that not all AI chatbots fall under the scope of the Online Safety Act, particularly those that only allow interaction with the chatbot itself and do not facilitate communication between users. Starmer noted that “technology moves on so quickly that legislation struggles to keep up,” highlighting the necessity for updated measures for AI bots.
Efforts to Protect Children Online
The Labour government is intensifying its initiatives to safeguard children online, having initiated a consultation regarding a potential social media ban for users under 16. They are also considering limitations on features like infinite scrolling on social media platforms.
In January 2025, Starmer pledged to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to attract substantial investments in AI and help position Britain as an “AI superpower”.
