xAI Sues Minnesota Over Law Banning Nudification Technology

A Minnesota law that bans the use of “nudification” technology on websites and apps is now the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI. The suit was filed in federal court on Monday, just days before the law is scheduled to take effect on Saturday. The legislation, signed in May, makes Minnesota the first state to outlaw the creation of fake nude images of real people using artificial intelligence, a move that could set a precedent for how far states can regulate AI‑generated content.

The law targets AI tools that allow users to transform photographs of consenting or non‑consenting individuals into nude images, a practice that has raised privacy, defamation, and harassment concerns. xAI’s complaint argues that the statute infringes on constitutional rights, including free speech and due process, and seeks to block its enforcement. The case will test the limits of state power to regulate emerging AI technologies and could influence similar legislation nationwide.

If the court upholds the law, Minnesota will become the first jurisdiction to criminalize the use of nudification tools, potentially prompting other states to adopt comparable measures. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely shape the national debate over AI regulation and the balance between innovation and protection of personal dignity.