The platform of Generative AI Midjourney has recently banned a user who spawned images of politicians cheating on their partnersr. The American president Joe Bidenthe former presidents Barack Obama e Donald Trumpin addition to the presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, they appeared in the act of kissing a person in a motel room. All fake images, generated by the AI, before the user was banned from the platform.
Midjourney bans a user, it generated images of politicians cheating on spouses
Generative AI risks simplifying the creation of fake news: if before there was a need to know how to use photo editing software to create fake compromising images, now just ask artificial intelligence.
A user has in fact recently used Midjourney to create false images of politicians cheating on their spouses, with the intention of highlighting the problem of theto disinformation generated by artificial intelligence. However, this person was banned from Midjourney.
Images created with AI by Justin Brown
The creator of the images, Justin Brown, a video editor, wrote about Twitter that he was banned from Midjourney AI for generating realistic images of politicians cheating on their wives for a series called “AI will revolutionize the blackmail industry”.
Platform ban
This operation by Brown wanted to demonstrate how easy it was to spread fake news, but also to blackmail a person with false images. But Midjourney took a firm stand and took proactive steps by blocking his account. Something particularly interesting, especially in view of the US presidential elections of 2024.
Indeed, in the fakes created by Brown on Midjourney there are several political figures, including some candidates for the 2024 presidential race, such as the current president Joe Bidenthe former president Donald Trumpthe former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis.
Images created with AI by Justin Brown
Although the images could not pass a careful analysis (unnatural positions, contours of the figures not perfect), they could have the effect of discrediting a candidate before a credible denial arrives. Something dangerous for American democracy – and for all the others too.
The ban arrives, but the images are online
Importantly Midjourney only exiled Brown afterwards the publication of images on Reddit and Twitter. We have added the word “Fake” in red for the sake of scruple, but it seems clear that with a few changes the images could already be circulating online. The ban prevents the same account from generating images several times, but does not prevent the dissemination of those already created.
“The series gained some exposure on Reddit, but was taken down by moderators and followed up with a ban by Midjourney,” Brown told PetaPixel. “I’ve come across block notices for offensive words or controversial figures in the past, but I’ve never been banned before.”
While it’s good that Midjourney is taking action on AI-generated images, stricter controls are needed to prevent the generation of potentially dangerous images. Fake images and rumors represent a growing threat to the democratic process.
A healthy skepticism on the part of us users remains important, but perhaps clear rules are needed to prevent false images from becoming misleading for the next elections – not just in America.