Taoiseach to meet Attorney General over Grok concerns
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, will meet the Attorney General to assess legal options in response to reports that Grok, an AI tool on X, has been used to create non-consensual images of women and children. He called the situation "very grave and very serious" and urged the public to report incidents to An Garda Síochána so the full extent of existing law can be applied.
X recently restricted image generation and editing features to paid subscribers, but ministers, regulators, and campaign groups say that does not address the core risk. The Government is reviewing whether current frameworks fully cover the issue, including the AI Act, and is prepared to move on any gaps quickly.
Legal and regulatory levers on the table
Mr Martin signalled that Ireland will use existing enforcement channels where appropriate. That includes the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission's oversight powers on illegal content, and actions by Coimisiún na Meán.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Grok has generated large volumes of abusive images and argued that "no thought" was given to how the tool could be weaponised against women. She said the creation of child sexual abuse imagery is illegal under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act and that companies can be prosecuted for facilitating such material.
Digital Rights Ireland chair TJ McIntyre said Irish law already allows gardaí to investigate potential corporate liability in cases involving the creation, possession, and distribution of child abuse images and intimate images. He added that while the DSA was not conceived with this exact scenario in mind, enforcement tools exist and should be used.
Political pressure and platform use
Opposition parties have asked the Government to consider banning Grok in Ireland and to review whether State bodies should remain on X. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said he has closed his X account, describing the output as child sexual images and calling for clarity on whether crimes have been committed. Labour representatives also questioned continued State use of the platform.
People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett pressed for immediate policing action. The Taoiseach cautioned against political interference in investigations, noting due process and adding that "this is not 1984."
Preparedness, enforcement, and the EU/UK angle
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said if a similar operation were "set up in someone's basement," it would likely be raided quickly, highlighting the challenge of policing large platforms. He said legislation must anticipate new cases as technology evolves, and pointed to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act as an opportunity to tighten oversight.
The European Commission has initiated steps under the DSA and ordered X to preserve relevant internal documents. In the UK, the government plans to make it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images and to supply tools built for that purpose. Coimisiún na Meán is engaging with the Commission as the situation develops.
What Government departments and public bodies should do now
While investigations progress, public bodies can act immediately to reduce risk and demonstrate compliance.
- Instruct staff to report incidents to An Garda Síochána and preserve evidence through approved channels. Do not circulate suspect content internally.
- Issue interim guidance on the use of X and any AI image tools. Prohibit the use of Grok (and similar tools) for any image generation or editing on official devices and accounts.
- Conduct a rapid risk assessment for departmental and agency accounts on X: purpose, necessity, exposure, and alternatives. Prepare contingency plans if platform use is paused or discontinued.
- Engage with Coimisiún na Meán and your legal teams to align with obligations under the Digital Services Act and relevant Irish law.
- Update social media and AI policies: clarify approval processes, age-related safeguarding requirements, and clear bans on non-consensual content creation or sharing.
- Strengthen procurement and vendor clauses: require adherence to the AI Act and Irish criminal law, content safety controls, audit rights, and swift takedown procedures.
- Coordinate with Data Protection Officers on evidence handling, DPIAs, and staff guidance. Ensure records retention policies cover AI-generated content issues.
- Provide targeted staff training on AI risk, image manipulation red flags, reporting lines, and safe handling. For role-based upskilling, see curated options by job role here.
What to watch next
- Outcome of the Taoiseach's meeting with the Attorney General and any proposed legal amendments or emergency measures.
- Potential DSA enforcement steps by the European Commission and guidance from Coimisiún na Meán to platforms and public bodies.
- Clarification from the Minister for Justice on whether the images constitute criminal acts under existing Irish law.
- Department-by-department positions on continued use of X and the availability of alternative communication channels for the public.
Reference frameworks
Bottom line: Treat this as both a legal risk and a safeguarding issue. Move early on policy, staff guidance, and evidence-handling while investigations run their course.
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