ITV weather presenter Jo Blythe has spoken out after becoming the target of a wave of disturbing and sexualised requests made through an artificial intelligence tool on social media.
The incident has reignited concerns over the misuse of AI technology, online harassment, and the growing problem of non-consensual image manipulation in the UK.
The 45-year-old broadcaster found herself at the centre of the controversy after sharing an entirely innocent post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Jo had uploaded a photo of herself fully clothed in the ITV studio, standing beside a weather graphic showing snowy conditions ahead of the arrival of Storm Goretti.
Alongside the image, she provided a routine forecast warning viewers of damaging winds, heavy rain, and snowfall expected across parts of England, Wales, Cornwall, the Scilly Isles, and the Channel Islands.
However, what should have been a straightforward weather update quickly took an uncomfortable turn.
Users on the platform began replying with prompts aimed at X’s AI chatbot, Grok, requesting that her image be altered in a sexualised way.
Some demanded that the AI change her outfit into revealing swimwear, while others made similarly inappropriate suggestions.
Although a handful of users posted light-hearted or humorous editing ideas, the majority of the attention focused on degrading and intrusive comments.
After becoming aware of the posts, Jo publicly addressed Grok directly in an attempt to protect herself from further misuse.
In a clear and firm message, she stated that she did not authorise any modification or editing of photographs of her, nor consent to her likeness being used to generate AI-created images.
She asked the bot to deny any third-party requests involving her image.
Grok responded by acknowledging her request and stating that it would respect her privacy, adding that xAI prioritises ethical AI practices and does not generate unauthorised likenesses.
Despite this assurance, several supporters warned that AI systems have previously failed to uphold such commitments consistently, fuelling ongoing concerns.
Jo Blythe is not the only public figure to face this issue. Love Island presenter Maya Jama has also spoken out after experiencing similar treatment, with AI prompts attempting to sexualise her appearance. These incidents have drawn widespread criticism and prompted regulatory attention.
UK media watchdog Ofcom has confirmed it has made urgent contact with X and its AI subsidiary xAI following public outrage.
The regulator is seeking clarification on what steps the company has taken to meet its legal obligations to protect users from harm.
Under UK law, creating or sharing non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, is a criminal offence.
An Ofcom spokesperson stressed that tackling illegal online harm and protecting users, particularly children, remains a top priority.
The watchdog has warned that it will carry out a swift assessment and consider a formal investigation if compliance issues are identified.
Elon Musk, owner of X, has previously stated that anyone using Grok to generate illegal content would face the same consequences as those uploading illegal material directly.
X’s Safety team has echoed this position, saying the platform removes illegal content, permanently suspends offending accounts, and cooperates with law enforcement where necessary.
The issue has also reached Parliament, with Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirming that both she and the Home Secretary are taking the matter very seriously.
As debates around AI regulation continue, Jo Blythe’s experience highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards to prevent technology from being weaponised against individuals without their consent.