xAI recently launched an AI video creation tool called Grok Imagine, which is now available to paying users of SuperGrok or Premium+, with a monthly subscription fee of $30 or $35. Users can access this feature in a dedicated tab within the Grok app, generating six-second short videos with synchronized sound by inputting prompts, or converting static images into looping dynamic video clips.
The "Spicy Mode" Feature Sparks Controversy
The most notable feature of Grok Imagine is its unique "Spicy Mode". This mode allows users to generate content that is "more explicit" within certain limits. Although xAI claims to have deployed filters and review mechanisms to prevent the generation of real nudity or pornographic content, this has not stopped users from trying to explore the boundaries of its functionality.
Musk himself posted a video on X described as "exposing" an angel, further sparking controversy and user testing enthusiasm. xAI insists that safety measures are in place, but early testers still attempted to break through these limits.
Public Relations Crisis and the Taylor Swift Incident
This testing quickly triggered a serious public relations crisis. According to online abuse expert and law professor Clare McGlynn, Grok Imagine created explicit sexual content of pop star Taylor Swift without clear instructions.
Testers said that under "Spicy Mode", Grok Imagine "unhesitatingly produced a completely unreviewed video of the pop star with bare upper body", and users did not actively request the generation of explicit content. In addition, the report pointed out that the platform failed to implement effective age verification measures, which is a legal requirement in the UK.
The "Spicy Mode" feature of Grok Imagine, while bringing convenience through technological innovation, is facing serious questions about the effectiveness of its safety and review mechanisms. Balancing content openness with user safety will be a major challenge for xAI in its future development.