Latest news with #Roy
Time Magazine
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Musk's Grok to Generate AI Videos, Including Explicit Content
Elon Musk's xAI announced a new feature for its AI chatbot Grok that will allow users to generate 6-second video clips, including those of a more explicit nature. The feature, called 'Imagine,' creates videos with sound in response to user prompts, according to an X post from the official Grok account. A thread from xAI employee Mati Roy—shared by Musk—highlighted examples of videos generated by the Grok update, including a robot, an 'alien tribal woman,' and more. The thread Roy posted was labeled by X as adult content. Roy also said that 'Grok Imagine videos have a spicy mode that can do nudity,' according to NBC News. (The original tweet appears to have been deleted, though others have also flagged the existence of 'spicy mode.') The release date for Imagine is set for October. Some employees and subscribers seem to have early access to the feature, though Musk indicated that programmers were still figuring out final tweaks to it. The latest update is part of Grok 4, the most recent version of the AI chatbot characterized by the company as the 'world's smartest artificial intelligence.' But launches associated with Grok in recent weeks have been steeped in controversy, including its introduction of a sexualized AI 'companion.' And the new feature is sparking its own concerns over its potential use in creating deepfakes—digitally altered videos of individuals that can imitate someone's likeness and can often be published without their consent. 'Instead of heeding our call to remove its 'NSFW' AI chatbot, xAI appears to be doubling down on furthering sexual exploitation by enabling AI videos to create nudity,' said Haley McNamara, a senior vice president at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. 'There's no confirmation it won't create pornographic content that resembles a recognizable person. xAI should seek ways to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation.' xAI did not immediately respond to TIME's requests for comment. Here's what to know about the new rollout. Deepfake concerns The latest xAI update arrives amid public concern about deepfakes. Around three-quarters of U.S. adults are in favor of restricting the use of digitally altered videos and images, per a 2019 poll from the Pew Research Center. A more recent January poll from the Artificial Intelligence Policy Institute found that 84% of Americans support legislation that would make noncensual deepfake porn illegal, with a similar percentage of people being in favor of mandating companies to 'restrict models to prevent their use in creating deepfake porn.' Roy's recent posts about Grok's AI video generator stated that the service can make realistic videos of humans and animate static images. Some have noted that the new service could be a way to generate personalized pornographic images. Multiple people have previously come forward with concerns about Grok being used to generate sexually explicit images in their likeness, even before the recent update. A young woman identified as Evie told USA Today that her selfies had been turned into explicit sexual imagery by others using the AI chatbot. 'It was just a shock seeing that a bot built into a platform like X is able to do stuff like that,' she said. X moved to block Grok from using certain phrases or words to alter images, according to the outlet, but online users have found other ways to taunt victims with the chatbot, including asking it to generate a story detailing Evie's sexual assault and rape. In May, the President signed the Take it Down Act, which requires platforms to 'promptly remove' such nonconsensual intimate visuals. The law aims to protect minors, and adults who may have had their image digitally altered during circumstances where they have a 'reasonable expectation of privacy.' Prior to the law's passage, Democratic lawmakers also moved to restrict the images created by Grok in particular, sending a letter to the Federal Election Commission in August 2024 that called for regulations regarding the use of deepfakes for election candidates. The letter pointed to deepfakes of Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 democratic presidential candidate, and pop star Taylor Swift. Other recent Grok controversies In one such instance that xAI attributed to an update, the chatbot made antisemitic statements and referred to itself as 'MechaHitler,' prompting the company to apologize and take steps to address the issue. Grok was temporarily shut down due to the offensive statements made by the chatbot. Another update earlier this month launched new xAI 'companions,' a set of characters complete with their own personas that Grok users can chat with. Users raised concerns about the rollout of a sexualized anime character named 'Ani,' who speaks in a sultry tone and removes her clothing to reveal a lingerie set following a set of flirty interactions, even when the app is in 'kids mode.' The character's introduction was condemned by some users and organizations including the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, which advocates against pornography and sexual exploitation. Musk stated following the launch that 'customizable companions' would soon be available for users as well.
Economic Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
GLL to launch blockchain-powered platform for creators and MSMEs
Synopsis GLL (Grow Limitless Ledger), a tech startup, is launching in India this August, aiming to empower creators and MSMEs with blockchain and AI-driven digital infrastructure. The platform offers tools for content ownership verification, invoice protection, and access to trade finance. TIL Creatives The platform uses blockchain and AI to help creators prove ownership of their work, offers invoice protection and trade finance support to MSMEs, and connects enterprises with verified partners. MUMBAI: GLL (Grow Limitless Ledger), a new-age tech startup building digital infrastructure for creators and small businesses, is set to launch its services in India this August. The platform uses blockchain and AI to help creators prove ownership of their work, offers invoice protection and trade finance support to MSMEs, and connects enterprises with verified to help creators publish and protect their work digitally, GLL leverages the best of both AI and blockchain worlds. It provides them with opportunities to grow, earn, and collaborate while allowing them to retain ownership and earn credit. For MSMEs, GLL offers invoice protection, access to working capital, and tools to take their businesses GLL's curated marketplace, other enterprises can also discover and work with these verified creators and small Roy, co-founder, GLL, said in a statement, 'Millions of small creators and entrepreneurs work hard every day but lack visibility, credit access, or recognition. We're building the rails for a new digital economy—where your content, your business, and your identity are verifiable and rewarded.''Proof of Creation' — GLL' blockchain-backed feature that verifies original work. GLL also issues 'GLL Ions,' its native digital token, which users can earn by posting content, uploading invoices, or promoting their business. These tokens can then be used to unlock AI tools, pay for services, or gain visibility within the ecosystem. The company envisions creating a $1 billion+ GLL Ions economy in the next five years. GLL's India launch will include its digital wallet, AI-powered creator tools, invoice protection services, and a gamified community rewards program. A full-scale marketplace for enterprises and exporters is planned for later this year in both India and Singapore. Earlier in May, GLL raised $100,000 in seed money from XDC Singapore, an open-source hybrid blockchain company aims to capitalise on the potential of the rapidly expanding creator economy. Over 90% of creators earn less than $100 per month, and MSMEs face a credit gap of over $500 billion. With India's ONDC push and a growing appetite for verifiable, digital-first platforms, GLL is betting on a new wave of formalisation.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
KMC makes Bengali mandatory in monthly meetings amid row over language in BJP-ruled states
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken to the streets protesting against the alleged harassment of Bengalis in BJP-ruled states for speaking Bengali. Now, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has made it mandatory for its councillors to speak in Bengali during monthly meetings. A recent directive from KMC chairperson Mala Roy asked all mayoral council members and councillors to use Bengali during the question hour in future sessions. This comes after the House's monthly session last week, where a TMC councillor from Ward 49 posed her question in English. After the question was placed, Roy instructed Mayor Firhad Hakim to reply in Bengali. Roy then announced that henceforth, all KMC proceedings would be conducted in Bengali. According to KMC officials, Roy has also ordered her office to conduct all official business — including monthly meetings — in Bengali. Speaking to the media, Roy said, 'From now on, the monthly meetings will be held in Bengali. Now, even in Parliament, we will speak in Bengali. Earlier, that was not the case. The state has already taken steps so that the signboards are written mainly in Bengali, and now in monthly meetings the questions and answers will be conducted in Bengali. We will be informing all in this regard.' According to KMC sources, steps would be taken to ensure that councillors submit their queries in Bengali going forward. However, many pointed out that there had been no language restriction earlier. Sajal Ghosh, the BJP councillor from Ward 50, said, 'Why restrict Bengali to just the monthly meetings? Why not make all KMC signages fully Bengali, removing Urdu? Why does official KMC stationery still carry Urdu script?' After a recent 'Talk to Mayor' session, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said that signboards and hoardings of all commercial establishments, including shops and restaurants, must be written in Bengali, along with other languages. Last year, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation mandated the use of Bengali language on all commercial signboards, including hoardings, alongside other languages. A deadline of February 21, 2025, was set for implementation of the rule. 'The KMC authority has decided that henceforth it is mandatory to write Bengali language on top of all the signboards/signages/hoardings alongside any other languages. For this purpose, we also need to check and implement the same in all establishments of KMC (including KMC HQ, Borough Offices, KMC Health Centers, KMCP Schools),' the order had stated. A similar initiative was announced by the KMC in 2007 under then-Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, requiring shop owners to include Bengali on signboards. However, it was not successfully implemented.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Man loses RM5,500 to scammer posing as Michael Chong's aide
KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman who paid RM5,500 to a man claiming to be an aide to MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong later discovered he had been scammed. The 37-year-old from Seremban, known as Lim, said he owed several loan sharks RM25,000 as of May this year. Unable to repay his debts, he searched social media for help and found an ad for "debt restructuring" by a man calling himself "Roy." "We met at a restaurant in Petaling Jaya on July 6. He claimed to be a special assistant from a company linked to 'Michael Chong' and said he could help reduce my interest charges. "But I had to pay 25% of the total debt as a service fee," the victim said at a press conference on Wednesday (July 30). He said he first transferred RM500 to a company account as instructed, then another RM5,000 on July 11, believing the debt would be settled. But two months later, the loan sharks were back, still demanding payment. "That's when I realised Roy was a fraud. I lodged a police report and had to pay RM28,000 to the loan sharks' runner to clear the debt," he said. "I know Chong is a well-known figure, so I didn't doubt the claim and didn't verify with his office. Later, I saw the same man on social media had also tricked another victim," he added. Chong, speaking at the same press conference, said he only found out his name was being misused when three officers from the Seremban police came to record his statement. "Initial checks showed the account used was registered under a Malay woman, likely a mule account," he said. "I have three female assistants and one male assistant. This Roy is not one of them, and I don't know him at all." Chong said he has appointed a lawyer and will take legal action against the impersonator once police make an arrest.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Scammers impersonate staff of Michael Chong to dupe man
KUALA LUMPUR: A man was deceived by scammers impersonating staff of MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong after he sought their help to resolve his debt. The victim, who wished to be known as Mr Lim, said he met the scammer, Roy, after responding to an enquiry on a Facebook group. "The scammer identified himself as a staff member under Michael Chong's company when we met, which convinced me to accept his offer to negotiate a settlement for my ongoing debt," Lim said at a press conference in Wisma MCA today. Roy then instructed Lim to make a RM500 payment to open a bank account and transfer his service fee into a company account registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. He also instructed Lim to make a payment of RM5,000 to settle his previous debts, which Lim transferred in two transactions into the given company bank account. After two months, Lim realised he had been scammed after Roy disappeared without a trace, leaving his debt unpaid. Chong strongly denied all allegations of his involvement with Roy and urged the public to lodge a report with MCA if anyone has been using his name to commit fraud. "Three officers from the Seremban Commercial Crime Investigation Department came to record my statement as there were police reports made by victims who claimed that the scammer was a staff member of mine. "I am working with my lawyers and will soon file a lawsuit against these scammers who claimed to be working with me," he said. Also at the press conference was a woman, Madam Choo, who had lodged a police report at the Seri Kembangan police station on June 23 after receiving repeated threats from unknown individuals demanding she settle her husband's alleged debts. Her husband, who works in marketing, reportedly left for a job abroad without her knowledge and only informed his father of his move on June 18. From June 20, Choo began receiving harassing calls from individuals claiming her husband owed money and threatened to expose her personal information online. "I am unaware of my husband's debt and why he decided to borrow money from loan sharks. "It was only after I was harassed by loan sharks that I realised what my husband had done," she said. Choo is now seeking a divorce, fearing threats from loan sharks to her and her 15-month-old daughter after receiving threatening photos defaced with the word "scammers". In a separate case, another woman, Madam Wong, is seeking to disown her eldest son following his repeated borrowing from loan sharks. She said the family previously settled two loans for her eldest son, Kok Chun Hong, with the help of Chong, amounting to RM5,000 in 2019 and RM22,500 in April this year. Wong said the harassment resumed at the end of June, after finding her son had borrowed again in July, which prompted the family to officially disown him.
