Swifties are taking action and expressing their outrage on the Internet against AI-generated nudes of Taylor Swift that have flooded their timelines.
After seemingly being posted on a website for celebrity nudes, the sexually explicit photos rapidly circulated on social media. Tech companies are taking legal action against the abuse. Swift hasn’t spoken up on the issue yet, but a source told Daily Mail that her loved ones are furious—and rightfully so.
X, formerly Twitter, quickly suspended the accounts that brought the images to the platform. But the pictures themselves are still all over the Internet, as well as the various AI software programs used to generate them. Swifties have urged online communities to protect Swift and join the artist’s legal team in cracking down on the culprits behind the distasteful images. Fans wonder how X allowed the photos to be shared publicly in the first place.
The more AI continues to take over the world, the more threats it poses to people, their hobbies, their jobs, and in Swift’s case, public figures’ presence in the public eye. Through the years, social media feeds have faced onslaughts of news and public opinions about AI porn, AI broadcasters, vocal and facial deepfakes, AI-generated art functioning in parallel to human creativity, and the alarming rise of software programs that do students’ schoolwork. Most social media trends nowadays have also been backed by AI, such as the yearbook photo trend that local and international celebrities have participated in. All of which trace back to how AI has done more harm than good to people on professional levels, despite arguments that deem it beneficial in a digital age of commodities, instant gratification, and blurred lines separating reality and fiction.
@preenph The #AIYearbook trend has taken off on social media. From celebs to everyday internet users, everyone seems to be enjoying this filter. But is spending approximately P200 for an AI-powered app to generate photos the only cost? For this installment of #PreenPop, we look into the trend and discuss why we need to be more vigilant about how AI tech and services make use of our likeness and other data. #preenph #aiyearbooktrend #ai #aitechnology ♬ original sound – Preen.ph
Needless to say, the AI-backed assault towards Swift demands an immediate arrest of its perpetrators. However, the incident is sadly not surprising given the scrutiny she’s received as one of the world’s most visible women. While Swift’s status and silence on global issues have warranted valid criticism, they don’t excuse the harsh prejudice, backlash, and harassment she’s faced for her music, relationships, and artistry.
There are no limits to AI’s capabilities as a tool, more so to those who utilize it for their own wish fulfillment. The Swift deepfakes are only one of many examples of AI’s looming dangers. Though we’re yet to be given a reason behind the creation of those photos and why they were posted online, there’s no denying how they’re downright disrespectful—not just to Swift, but also to women and celebrities who continuously face objectification, exploitation, and prejudice, especially for their bodies.
Photo from the Golden Globes on Instagram
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