AI-generated images and their ethical implications in the age of disinformation

The emergence of AI-generated imagery has raised concerns about its potential to perpetuate disinformation and manipulate public perception. Midjourney, an AI tool for generating images, has recently come under scrutiny for its potential to facilitate both creativity and disinformation.

The Viral Image of Pope Francis in a Balenciaga Jacket

Midjourney’s most recent foray into viral fame came in the form of a generative AI image of Pope Francis wearing a trendy Balenciaga jacket. The image quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking conversations about the ethics and risks associated with AI-generated art.

Pablo Xavier, the artist behind the viral image, used Midjourney’s AI tool to create the artwork. Xavier did not intend to disrespect the religious leader but simply found it amusing to see the Pope in a trendy jacket. However, some individuals believed that the image was real due to the Pope’s liberal views.

Daniela Rus, the director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, warned about the risks of using generative AI in creating public figures’ images. She stated that this technology could lend itself to harmful misinformation and political manipulation.

The artist himself admitted that using public figures in generative AI artwork might be crossing the line. Digitally altering someone’s outfit or image could have lasting reputational damage.

Midjourney’s Potential for Creativity and Disinformation

Midjourney has over 13.7 million users who can post prompts for images in public Discord channels, leading to an overwhelming amount of content. While Midjourney aggressively filters NSFW and abusive content, there are still ways around it.

Furthermore, Midjourney has more disturbing images floating around, such as fake photos of the 1969 moon landing and potentially offensive AI-generated images. The platform’s setup makes it uniquely poised to facilitate both creativity and disinformation.

There have been concerns about Midjourney falling into the wrong hands and contributing to disinformation. AI-generated photos of Donald Trump being arrested spread like wildfire after he wrote on social media that he was expecting to be indicted in connection with a campaign finance investigation in New York.

The Ethical Implications of AI-generated Images in Fashion and Media

The use of AI imaging tools is becoming more sophisticated and can generate images based on users’ text prompts. This technology has raised concerns about the ethical implications of AI-generated “deep fake” imagery, including the removal of subjects’ agency and the potential to create defamatory or malicious scenarios.

The use of AI-generated images in fashion and media could diminish the power and messaging inherent in clothes and a person’s autonomy. Each garment in the papacy holds religious significance, and fake images of the Pope wearing certain clothes outside specific contexts could cause offense, alarm, or mistrust within the Catholic community.

AI technology has caught the attention of Pope Francis, who addressed its emergence at a conference, calling for a commitment to act ethically and responsibly in developing these technologies. The intrinsic dignity of every man and woman should be the key criterion in evaluating emerging technologies, and these technologies should help respect that dignity and increase its expression at every level of human life.

In conclusion, while AI-generated technology presents exciting opportunities for creativity, it also carries risks for perpetuating disinformation and manipulating public perception. As we continue to develop these technologies, it is vital to consider their ethical implications carefully.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons