UK tightens AI chatbot rules after Grok incident

The British government announced on January 16 that it will reinforce online safety rules to include all artificial intelligence chatbots, in response to incidents involving Grok, a tool from social network X, linked to Elon Musk, that generated fake intimate images.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need to eliminate "the loopholes that put children at risk," stating that "no platform will be exempt." This measure follows a wave of international outrage, especially after Ofcom, the UK internet regulator, launched an investigation into illegal content moderation and child protection regarding Grok.

The investigation revealed a gap in current legislation, where some chatbots are not covered by the Online Safety Act when interaction is limited to the user and AI. To address this, the government plans to propose an amendment to the law, requiring all chatbots to protect users from illegal content.

Additionally, the government is preparing a public consultation on children's digital well-being, which may result in banning social media for those under 16 and limiting features that encourage excessive use, such as "infinite scrolling."

This new approach marks a significant shift from early 2025, when the government sought to make the UK an AI hub with less regulation.