Influence of AI generated Images
Take, for instance, the image shown below. See how the woman looks real? She’s AI-generated. I had her generated on a website called Leonardo.Ai, all I simply asked was for the AI to generate a realistic looking woman. The most noticeable clue is how the AI made an error when creating her hands, giving her six fingers instead of five. This is one of the small but significant details that can reveal the artificial nature of an image.
Additionally, one of the most recent examples of AI-generated photos being used for malicious intent occurred during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Milton, where scammers created fake images of victims to trick people into donating to fraudulent charities. The images, which featured heart-wrenching scenes of dogs stranded on rooftops and children with their pets, quickly went viral. People, understandably moved by the emotional impact, shared these photos widely, unknowingly supporting fake causes. This incident highlights the darker side of AI-generated content and the growing need for skepticism when consuming visual media.
This isn’t the first time scammers have taken advantage of disaster relief efforts, but the use of AI-generated images has made the process way more convincing. Cybersecurity experts, like Marcus Sachs, warn that while technology has made it more difficult to hack into systems, scammers are now turning to more psychological tactics playing on emotions rather than vulnerabilities in hardware or software. (Cowell). The rise of deepfakes and AI-created content is not just an issue for charity scams, but for all types of media, from political manipulation to online harassment.
As AI technology continues to evolve, the consequences of these shady practices could be even more dangerous. The ability to manipulate public attitudes with realistic visuals could affect everything from how we view major global events to how we make decisions about donations and political stances. We should all take a step back before reacting to emotionally charged images, especially those shared in the aftermath of crises. Tools like fact-checking websites can help verify the authenticity of images, preventing us from falling victim to scams.
As AI-generated content becomes more wide-spread, we must remain cautious about the images and information we encounter daily. While AI offers exciting possibilities for development and creativity, it also carries risks, especially when used to deceive. The examples of charity scam during disasters illustrate just how powerful and manipulative these images can be. It’s crucial for us as consumers of media to adopt a more critical approach, questioning what we see and seeking verification from trusted sources. Through increased awareness and cautiousness can we protect ourselves and others from the growing threat of digital manipulation from AI.
Cowell, Noah. "AI Photos Created of Hurricane Victims in Disaster Relief Scam." WAFF 48 News, 9 Oct. 2024, https://www.waff.com/2024/10/10/ai-photos-created-hurricane-victims-disaster-relief-scam/.
Hello Sarai,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your insight. This is very helpful to know in a generation that uses and abuses AI. Oftentimes, scammers will even make way too realistic calls to families lying that their loved one is in danger, even with the persons voice. I am not sure how the technology works, but its scary!