Experts Warn Use of AI to Harm Women Has Only Just Begun
January 14, 2026 — Concerns are mounting among experts regarding the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to target and harm women. Recent developments highlight that while some AI tools have begun introducing safeguards, many continue to enable harmful content with little restriction.
One key example is Grok, an AI platform that recently implemented delayed measures aimed at preventing the generation of sexualized AI imagery. Despite this, experts caution that similar AI tools lack comparable limits, leaving significant gaps that can be exploited to produce abusive or degrading material directed at women.
The warnings come amid growing discussions on the ethical deployment of AI technology in society. The potential misuse of AI raises urgent questions about accountability, regulation, and the protection of vulnerable groups online.
In a parallel development, Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, sparked renewed debate by defending the organization’s stance on professional misconduct. Nurse asserted that society should only expel fellows for fraud or significant defects in their research, a position that reignited conversations related to prominent figures such as Elon Musk and their roles in the AI field.
As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, these concerns underscore the critical need for robust safeguards and ethical frameworks to prevent misuse, particularly as the impact of AI on social dynamics becomes more pronounced.
The Guardian will continue to follow this developing story, providing in-depth analysis and updates on AI’s role in technology and society.
For more on AI and related technology news, visit The Guardian’s dedicated AI section.
