The explicit images of Swift were created using an AI image-generator and began circulating widely on the platform, prompting a response from Swift's fan base and anti-abuse groups. The company has temporarily limited searches for Swift's name as a safety measure. The incident highlights the growing issue of explicit deepfakes, which have been increasingly weaponized against women, particularly celebrities, in recent years.
Key takeaways:
- Elon Musk's company, X, formerly known as Twitter, plans to hire 100 full-time staffers to combat child sexual exploitation and other explicit content on the platform. This follows the viral spread of AI-generated explicit images of Taylor Swift.
- The company will establish a 'trust and safety center' in Austin, Texas, where the new hires will enforce the site's content and safety rules.
- The explicit images of Taylor Swift were created using an AI image-generator and spread widely on X, prompting a backlash from Swift's fans and a temporary reduction in search capabilities for Swift's name on the platform.
- Deepfake technology has become more accessible and easier to use in recent years, leading to an increase in explicit deepfakes, primarily targeting women. The European Union has introduced legislation requiring online platforms to take measures against such content and requiring companies that create deepfakes with AI systems to inform users that the content is artificial or manipulated.