Europe takes first step to banning AI-generated child sexual abuse images

March 13, 2026 1:55 PM EDT

FILE PHOTO: xAI and Grok logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Foo Yun ‌Chee

BRUSSELS, March ​13 (Reuters) - ​Europe on Friday took the first step towards outlawing artificial intelligence practices ‌which generate child sexual abuse material after ⁠EU governments proposed to add this provision to the ‌bloc's landmark AI rules ‌adopted two years ago.

Governments and regulators from Europe to Asia are cracking down on sexually ​explicit content generated by Elon Musk's xAI chatbot Grok on X as well ⁠as sexually intimate deepfakes produced by Grok.

EU tech regulators and national ​watchdogs in Britain, Ireland and Spain are currently investigating Grok's sexualised AI deepfakes.

The ​EU countries will need ‌the backing of the European Parliament before their proposal can be adopted. ⁠Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on their own similar proposition on Wednesday.

Both sides have to stake ⁠out their positions on the matter and other issues ahead ​of negotiations on the European Commission's proposal to water down parts of the AI Act, a move welcomed ‌by tech giants and some businesses but criticised by civic groups ‌and privacy campaigners for bowing to Big Tech.

The ⁠discussions will likely ‌take a year ​before any changes can be implemented.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten ‌Donovan)



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