Judge Denies xAI Bid to Block Minnesota AI Nude Image Ban

A federal judge has denied a request by Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, to block Minnesota's first-in-the-nation ban on AI-generated fake nude images. The ruling means the law, which prohibits the creation and distribution of such content, will remain in effect as xAI pursues its constitutional challenge. U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank refused to grant xAI a preliminary injunction against the statute, which took effect on August 1, 2026. The law prevents website owners, software developers, and others from allowing users to employ artificial intelligence to digitally undress identifiable individuals. xAI argues the measure infringes upon free speech rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, contending it is overly broad and places undue liability on platform developers. In his ruling on Friday, September 4, 2026, Judge Frank stated that xAI had not demonstrated it would suffer irreparable harm while litigating the case. He noted that the company waited three months after the law's enactment to file for a preliminary injunction, suggesting its interests were not critically threatened.