Grok's New AI Image Generator Readily Creates Wild Images of Famous Figures

Premium X users got access to a new version of Grok AI today, Grok-2, and have discovered it will readily create images of famous figures.

Some of the examples spreading on social media include Mario drinking beer on a beach, Elmo reporting on the 9/11 attacks, and Donald Trump holding Vice President Kamala Harris's pregnant belly. The Trump images seem to be particularly realistic, while those of Harris are not. But they all have one thing in common: outlandish visuals that make you think, "Is that real?"

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Other AI image generators, such as OpenAI's Dall-E and Midjourney, no longer accept requests to create images of famous figures. Midjourney banned it ahead of the 2024 elections, citing an inability to implement proper content moderation controls (though the CEO admitted creating these types of images is "fun.")

Google also programmed its Gemini chatbot to refuse election-related inquiries due to risk of hallucinations and spreading false information.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

When Elon Musk launched Grok on X in November 2023, he positioned it as renegade alternative to competitors that would "answer spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems." But when combined with the platform's wide reach, these images could inadvertently spread misinformation, violate copyright, and ruin reputations in the name of entertainment.

Recommended by Our Editors

Can You Spot AI-Generated Images? Take Our Quiz to Test Your Skills

How to Use the Dall-E 3 AI Art Generator to Create Stunning Images From Text

The 5 Best Gemini AI Features Coming to Google's Pixel 9 Lineup

Grok has already been found to spread misinformation on several occasions through its text-based chatbot answers. Its image-generation capabilities could offer another avenue for doing so without the proper controls.

About Emily Dreibelbis Forlini

Senior Reporter

I'm the expert at PCMag for all things electric vehicles and AI. I've written hundreds of articles on these topics, including product reviews, daily news, CEO interviews, and deeply reported features. I also cover other topics within the tech industry, keeping a pulse on what technologies are coming down the pipe that could shape how we live and work.

Read Emily's full bio

Read the latest from Emily Dreibelbis Forlini

• 2.4M Teslas Under Investigation For 4 Crashes Involving Full Self-Driving
• FCC: 100% of Mobile Phones Must Be Hearing Aid Compatible
• US Treasury Taps AI to Catch Criminals Stealing $4 Billion of Your Taxes
• Man Outgunned as Girlfriend Brings AI Ammo to Every Argument
• Apple Intelligence Reportedly Drops on Oct. 28: Here's What You Get First
• More from Emily Dreibelbis Forlini