xAI arrests man for using Grok to create CSAM ‘deepfakes’

Elon Musk’s xAI is suing a South Carolina man who allegedly used the company’s Grok AI chatbot to create child abuse material (CSAM). In a case report I already am ReutersxAI alleges that Terry Wayne Harwood “knowingly and intentionally used Grok to breach security, modify unauthorized images, and create and distribute CSAM,” in violation of company policy.

Harwood he was arrested in February for possession and distribution of CSAM and is facing eight charges. The lawsuit alleges that “some” of the images related to Harwood’s crimes were “created or modified” by Grok, and that Harwood bypassed Grok’s defense by “misusing a tool to convert non-sexual images into pornographic images” without the consent of the audience.

xAI says Harwood’s actions exposed the company to “legal risk and reputational damage.” It has asked the court to order Harwood to pay xAI for any damages, as well as “reasonable expenses incurred in the defense of any claims made by the victim.” xAI also wants a judge to stop Harwood from creating an xAI account or using Grok.