There are few things more horrifying than the idea of finding explicit photos and videos of yourself on the internet, and even more so when not only did you not post the media yourself – you never even committed any explicit act in the first place.
Just the idea of AI-generated porn is terrifying, but it is here and it is taking over the internet at a rapid pace. Plaguing every crease of online forums such as Reddit, 4chan, and various porn sites, the non-consensual use of images to create deep fakes of celebrities, exes, and even teenagers, is ruining the lives of thousands.
Learn about the horrific realities of AI-generated porn, how bad it has gotten, and what we need to do to ensure the safety of innocent individuals all over the world.
AI-Generated Porn & The Nonconsensual Use of Images
The use of artificial intelligence in generating pornographic content is raising some serious concerns about the non-consensual use of images. While this technology has the potential to create realistic simulations of sexual acts, it also poses significant risks for innocent victims whose images are used without their consent.
As AI algorithms become increasingly sophisticated, they can now use personal photos or videos to create pornographic content that is virtually indistinguishable from real life. This leads to individuals’ personal photos or videos being used in pornographic content without their knowledge or permission, which is just a crazy and gross violation of both privacy and autonomy.
The impact on those affected by non-consensual image use can be severe, causing deep emotional distress, damage to personal relationships, and might even hinder career advancement.
In an age where privacy is increasingly difficult to protect, the use of AI-generated porn only exacerbates the challenges facing individuals seeking to safeguard their personal information.
The most gruesome aspect of this is how it truly showcases the evil that is out there, and trust me: no one is safe. The internet has made it clear that people are ready to destroy the lives of innocent young women for their own sexual gratification, and since it is near impossible to regulate, these people are facing no real consequences.
One of the most horrific recent examples of this happened to an innocent TikTok creator that goes by the name of Rachel. After posting photos of herself online fully clothed, she was ran through an AI program that essentially removed her clothes and posed her as naked.
The aftermath was traumatic for both her and her family, and she suddenly had thousands of people sending her photos, spouting vile comments, and threatening her for absolutely no reason.
She explains everything herself in the TikTok below, but warning: it is a heartbreakingly tough watch.
There are unfortunately thousands of other similar cases out there, and in some instances, they can be even worse than what happened to Rachel. A lot of the time, porn is generated with a specific purpose in mind: to ruin someone else.
Some might create AI-generated porn of someone in an attempt to blackmail someone, threatening their future with photos that they never even took. Sometimes it might be a jealous ex creating fake revenge porn in an attempt to get back at their old partner. Most commonly, however, it is for desperate incels to create sexual imagery of their celebrity crush.
Deepfake Technology Is Getting Out of Hand
As discussed in my article on Artificial Intelligence’s influence on the spread of misinformation, the emergence of AI-generated deep fakes raises serious concerns. These videos create highly convincing videos of individuals, but especially celebrities, engaging in activities that they never actually participated in – such as committing crimes, saying something that might get them canceled, or, of course, engaging in sexual acts.
The harm it creates is significant, especially when it damages someone’s reputation for life. Deepfakes put people in situations where they can be blackmailed, emotionally tortured, and financially ruined.
The most common use of deepfake technology, aside from the political spread of misinformation, is the creation of highly convincing simulations of celebrities engaging in sexual acts. For instance, in 2017, the famous Israeli actor and model Gal Gadot, most recently known for her role as Wonder Woman, had a deep fake video of her engaging in explicit sexual acts that she never actually committed go viral.
The video caused significant harm to her reputation and career, and no matter how hard she tried, the video could never be truly taken off the internet. Gal Gadot is unfortunately not alone in her experience either; other cases with famous actresses such as Emma Watson and Scarlett Johansson suffered very similar fates.
Once it’s out there, it’s out there – and there is nothing anyone can do to ensure they stay safe from the exact same fate. AI-generated porn is straight-up ruining good people’s lives for some short-lived sexual gratification, and there are not enough barriers in place to ensure that this progression stops. Every month new cases come out, and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down any time soon.
AI-Generated Porn Normalizes Sexual Violence
In addition to ruining people’s lives, the introduction of AI-generated porn also creates a reality where people can access any form of content that they wish. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not kink-shaming, but by having the ability to create any scenario – experts worry that AI will normalize acts that wouldn’t ever be able to be played out in person.
Most notably, scenarios that include underage characters or sexual violence. Because of this technology, people are able to create absolutely vile and horrific scenarios imaginably – and the more widespread this becomes, the more normalized.
The internet unfortunately doesn’t have a lot of protections in place to help our youth understand the difference between the real and the fake, creating a world where easily influenced minds become brainwashed by the sexual violence and AI-generated content they suddenly have access to.
Regulation and enforcement:
By far the most troubling part about the way AI-generated porn spreads is how incredibly difficult it is to regulate and punish the creators. Although OpenAI, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion have finally removed the ability to create sexual imagery, there are still dozens of free software out there that do the exact same thing.
There are entire forums and web pages dedicated to this, yet no government has the ability to shut anything down. Additionally, it’s near impossible to track the culprits down anyways – so no local law enforcement can actually put a stop to it anyways. Meaning that in cases like Rachel’s, there is a victim with an untraceable criminal who will never be put to justice.
Politicians are currently moving far too slowly when it comes to congressional regulations on Artificial Intelligence, and simply aren’t keeping up with the rapid pace at which the technology is moving.
AI-Generated Porn Is Virtual Sexual Assault: Say NO.
The nonconsensual use of images to create AI-generated porn is disgusting, traumatizing, and a serious concern in today’s society. Yet there is little being done to stop it by both politicians and people alike.
The AI algorithms are getting more sophisticated every week, and as a result, more and more AI-generated porn is created using clothed photos of real people, who tend to be young and vulnerable women.
Creating pornographic content that is virtually indistinguishable from real life, without the individual’s knowledge or permission, should be punishable with prison. However, as of now, there is little that can be done except ensure that we take no part.
It is time we start realizing how incredibly harmful Artificial Intelligence is, and take a real stand against the development of technology that, in addition to all the other horrific things covered on my blog, is also ruining innocent women’s lives.
A lot of people already know how dangerous it is, which makes it all even more terrifying. Is it apathy or dread that is preventing people from avoiding AI? Regardless, you can read all about what the western worlds public opinion of Artificial Intelligence is right here.
Do what you can to prevent the AI epidemic.
Say NO to AI.
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN WITHOUT THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
