THE TAOISEACH HAS said he will contact X and ask the company to turn up to a Dáil committee to answer questions on the Grok AI-generated non-consensual images controversy. 

Last month, Grok, which is available as a standalone app but is most prominently used on Elon Musk’s social media site X, began generating non-consensual sexual imagery at the behest of users. Some of this imagery included the digital “undressing” of children.

Niamh Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for AI, met with executives from X last week, but was informed the company would decline an invitation to come before the Oireachtas Media Committee to answer questions about the scandal. 

Smyth, who pressed the company on ongoing concerns over non-consensual sexualised imagery being generated and shared through Grok, said she had raised her “serious dismay” at the platform, emphasising that any safeguards must match the sophistication of the technology.

Labour’s Alan Kelly, who chairs the media committee, called on Micheál Martin today to assist him in getting X to attend the upcoming meeting next week.  

Google, Meta and TikTok are due to attend Wednesday’s meeting, said Kelly, who said it is imperative X attends and is answerable to the people of Ireland. 

The Taoiseach responded: “I will help in that, I will communicate with X and ask it to turn up.”

Martin went on to clarify that there is not a gap in the legislation, stating that the 2020 Act does cover the sharing, dissemination and distribution of intimate adult images.