Cyber Expert: Grok Ban Shows that State Rules are Not Ready with Advanced AI Innovation

Grok ban shows the country's lack of readiness for AI innovation (Dok. Komdigi)

JAKARTA - A number of countries have decided to block Grok, a chatbot on the X platform, due to image editing problems that harm women and minors.

This chatbot can turn ordinary images into vulgar images with a face that will not change. So far, some countries in Asia that have blocked Grok are Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

According to Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC and Japan Country Manager of Keeper Security, this blocking phenomenon is not an attempt by the country to reject increasingly sophisticated AI technology. This action is considered a response to technology that violates policies.

"The recent inspection and restriction of Grok AI is not a rejection of artificial intelligence, but an indicator that governance has not kept up with its adoption," Nishiyama said in a statement received by VOI on Friday, January 23.

Nishiyama said that AI technology risks becoming a 'shadow AI' that is difficult for national security to monitor if a country does not have clear rules. This has the potential to expose sensitive data as well as create audit gaps that endanger companies or the public sector.

The risk to end users is also very large, ranging from personal data leaks to manipulation of misleading information. Seeing this situation, Nishiyama suggests organizations adopt identity-based security and provide access with minimal privileges.

In addition, according to Nishiyama, a complete ban on Grok adoption is not a way out to solve the problem of the circulation of vulgar photos edited by AI on X. Companies such as xAI are urged to continue to comply with regulations in each country while continuing to innovate responsibly.