AfD politicians are using AI-generated imagery to stir up resentment. The images artificially created with AI image services show fictional scenes and spread xenophobic clichés.
The AfD spread the fake photos, for example of foreigners or climate activists, on social media. According to a report by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Paywall), they should influence public opinion.
The deputy of the AfD parliamentary group, Norbert Kleinwächter, published AI-generated fake photos of angry, screaming migrants, among other things.
Kleinwaechter also published a photo of a climate activist on Instagram, who is screaming in the street with a bared chest and a wild beard. The fake photo had the text “Climate freaks accept deaths” added. When asked about it, the AfD politician said it was a caricature. But he was “very, very thankful” for the new technology.
Such images were used to “illustrate political views,” Kleinwächter told the FAZ. It is very intentional that “stereotypes are served”.
Not only are AfD politicians using AI-generated images to foment hatred against foreigners or climate activists, the AfD member of the Bundestag Roger Beckamp is now creating and distributing targeted fake images of crimes.
Especially when scrolling quickly through social media feeds, the AI images as such are barely perceptible. People who share the AfD’s ideas are unlikely to question the fake images that seem to confirm their worldview.
AI generates fake photos in seconds
In most cases, the fake photos are not identified as AI images. If so, there’s just a hint in a little writing to Midjourney and that it’s an icon image. But even if the hidden reference to the AI image generator Midjourney is observed, the vast majority of viewers will hardly realize that it is currently the most advanced text-to-image generator.
Recently, AI image services like Midjourney have created near-photorealistic images. For the AI software, a short description of the image is enough, i.e. it can be used without any knowledge of image processing. Due to the rapid advance of AI image services, recognizing AI images is already extremely difficult today, in the future it will be completely impossible for the human eye.
The AfD said it uses free image databases and does not check “whether they contain AI images”. Moreover, these are exclusively symbolic images.
Indeed, image agencies like Shutterstock used by the media, companies or parties are now offering AI-generated photos. AfD politicians apparently use advanced AI image generators like Midjourney for propaganda purposes.
(oli)
Source: Watson
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
