The Dangers of Unchecked AI

As the technology progresses, it has already led to instances where individuals' images are manipulated without consent, often for amusement. For example, journalist Johanna Villalobos from Costa Rica shared her dismay on social media when someone edited a beach photo of her to remove her clothing using AI. In her words, “They used my beach photo, and with Artificial Intelligence, they ‘removed my clothes.’ I’m tired of seeing how they use us for their entertainment. The photo is in WhatsApp groups, social media. It’s NOT ME, and the most unfortunate part is that I can’t do anything about it.”

She is not alone in this experience; many others have recounted similar stories. One response came from a well-known Spanish broadcaster who reported that his voice had been cloned, leading to unauthorized podcasts being released in his name. Unfortunately, current laws in the U.S. do not offer copyright protection for AI-generated content, leaving victims with little recourse.

A stark illustration of this issue involves Holli Mengert, a Disney illustrator, who discovered that students had replicated her artistic style using AI without her permission. As she remarked, “It feels like someone’s taking work that I’ve done... and is using it to create art that I didn’t consent to and didn’t give permission for.” This highlights the broader legal challenges surrounding generative AI, which often operates within ambiguous legal frameworks.

The Potential for Identity Theft

The implications of AI's unchecked growth extend beyond mere image alteration. As the technology evolves, there is a potential for it to facilitate identity theft and fraud. With over 4.8 billion social media users globally in 2023, many individuals unwittingly share personal information, including that of their children. A survey by Security.org revealed that over 75% of parents share their kids’ information online, yet only 22% know their social media followers personally. This raises significant concerns about privacy and safety.

In a chilling demonstration captured by Deutsche Telekom, AI was used to create an adult version of a child based solely on publicly shared content. This raises alarming possibilities, such as extortion or impersonation, where AI-generated voices could convince family members that someone has been kidnapped or that a fraudster is a trusted acquaintance.

The Need for Regulation

To prevent misuse of AI technology, urgent regulatory measures are essential. It is crucial to establish that any alterations to images should require explicit consent from the individual involved. Furthermore, mechanisms must be developed to verify identity before any AI tools can modify personal images. Without these safeguards, individuals risk becoming victims of identity theft and other fraudulent activities.

For those concerned about potential AI cloning of their identity, it is advisable to restrict social media sharing to trusted individuals and establish a secret safety code for family members to verify communications.