As concerns rise over Grok, only one political party has stopped using Elon Musk's X
Several parties confirmed to the they are reviewing their use of the social media platform. File photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP
Just one political party has stopped using Elon Musk's X, as concerns over the creation of explicit images by its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok rumble on.
While several parties confirmed to the they are reviewing their use of the social media platform, only the Green Party confirmed that it and its leader, Roderic O’Gorman, have stopped.
Grok is designed to perform a multitude of functions, such as answering questions, analysing visual information from cameras, summarising convoluted documents, and generating imagery.
Users have been able to avail of a new tool called “edit image” on Grok since late last month, and X has faced sustained criticism because some are using it to remove clothing from real people.
A Green Party spokesperson confirmed that both the party and its leader have stopped using X.
“In December, the Green Party Executive Committee agreed that the party would move away from posting on X, a move that began in the New Year,” they confirmed.
“Party leader Roderic O’Gorman is no longer posting on the platform since the decision in December.”
A spokesperson for the Social Democrats stated that its use is under review, but said there were also risks associated with leaving.
“The State should be adopting a much stronger stance against clear breaches of the law on X, with criminal investigations being pursued,” they said.
“The Social Democrats' continued use of X as a platform is under review.
“The difficulty with organisations leaving X is that it leaves behind an online space in which hateful content and/or misinformation spreads without being challenged and where alternative viewpoints are not represented.”
The party’s TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon, confirmed earlier this week he was leaving X.
Labour described the use of Grok AI to generate sexual abuse imagery as being “shocking and deeply concerning, and must be comprehensively investigated and addressed by government and regulators”.
“In the meantime, the Labour Party will be reviewing the ongoing use of X as a content platform.”
It is understood Fine Gael is not considering moving away from its use of X.
A spokesperson for Aontú said the party is not considering a change in how it uses X but called for Grok to be banned in Ireland.
Fianna Fáil did not answer queries on whether it would keep using the website, and instead sent the a statement from AI minister Niamh Smyth confirming she had requested a meeting with X.
“Under Ireland’s Online Safety Framework, there is a clear obligation on online platforms to act on reports of illegal content,” a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said.
“Engagement by any political party with online platforms must be informed by these obligations and by the need to protect people from harm, particularly the most vulnerable.”
Sinn Féin did not respond to queries.
Enterprise minister Peter Burke said he was “hugely concerned” about the Grok developments.
Asked if the Government should consider banning the use of Grok, he said the Government must work within existing laws.
He said the Government would need to decide on whether to remain on X as a collective if the issue of sexualised images continues to be a problem.
“That’s not anything too big to ask for any company that’s operating in our country, that you go by the law, you adhere to safeguards, you protect children, you protect future generations.”
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