Exploring the Hilariously Lucrative Realm of ‘Pimping’ Artificial Intelligence
“Inside the Booming ‘AI Pimping’ Industry”
“These days, on Instagram, people—almost always women—find themselves tagged in real images, pulled from the web and doctored to place them in pornographic scenes. The AI technology behind those forged images, known as deepfakes, has advanced largely unchecked, streamlining the process for anyone wanting to pseudonymously harass or prey on women.” So reads the opening paragraph of this fascinatingly dystopian article from Wired.com. Wheezing its last breaths on the precipice of credibility, AI bottle-fed and raised by social networks has brought us to a pivotal juncture, cleverly disguised as a villainous act of art, deepfakes.
Artificial intelligence, in its infinite wisdom, though, has managed to accomplish one thing above all: shedding light on the utter perversions at the backdrop of mankind’s unrelenting wild side. Quite ironically, technology, driven by deep-learning algorithms, no less, not only makes these outrageous creations widely available but uncomplicated, streamlined and indeed sanitized for the average Joe. Who would’ve thought?
In a monstrous merger of convenience and malevolence, seemingly innocuous social platforms like Instagram serve as the unwitting accomplices and galleries of these distastefully realistic artistic creations. Some marvel at the audacity; others simply retch at this horrendous cocktail of technology and predation.
The digital domain, therefore, becomes an alarming delight for any Tom, Dick, or Harry with an internet connection and a disturbing pinch of creativity. Circus? More like a dystopian wonderland, where the line between reality and make-believe is thinner than the promise of data privacy.
Here’s the catch. Social platforms, which have inevitably become unwilling collaborators in this unsettling farce, are surprisingly unable in many instances to effectively counter this invasion. Alas, as efficient as these tech titans are in collecting personal data or personalizing ads, halting the spread of deepfakes seems to be not their strongest suit.
Rules and regulations? More grey than a foggy London morning. The article tells us that while legal ramifications exist, they are incredibly hard to enforce. After all, nothing quite compares to the challenge of catching a pseudonymous villain in the boundless expanse of the digital world. Not to mention, the loopholes in the system make it a favourable place for these artistic predators.
Finally, take into consideration how these AI-induced ‘creations’ impact the lives of individuals, especially women. Lives are disrupted, public images tarnished and mental health severely compromised. Just a daily stroll through a dystopian wonderland, isn’t it? After all, what else can you expect when AI is pimping an industry that once begged to be disrupted?
Read the original article here: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-pimping-industry-deepfakes-instagram/