Sexually explicit AI generated images featuring Taylor Swift have proliferated on social media, kicking up a controversy and leading to backlash from fans. One suggested that the images may have originated in a Telegram group, where users share explicit AI-generated content created using Microsoft’s AI services and tools in this latest gust in the whole AI storm.
we tracked down the viral Taylor Swift AI-generated porn to a Telegram group that uses microsoft's designer tool to make AI celebrity porn. https://t.co/fgvo0E2nG8
— Emanuel Maiberg (@emanuelmaiberg) January 25, 2024
These Telegram group members allegedly found amusement in the viral spread of Taylor Swift’s AI-generated images on X (formerly Twitter). Notably, while X’s policies explicitly prohibit synthetic and manipulated media, as well as nonconsensual nudity, actually enforcing these policies is incredibly difficult ever since Musk sacked basically everyone working in moderation.
The offending AI images of Taylor Swift surfaced on X in the past 24 hours, shedding light on the growing challenge of combating the spread of fake imagery created by artificial intelligence. One particularly prominent instance on X garnered over 45 million views, thousands of reposts, and hundreds of thousands of likes before the account responsible for posting them was suspended.
Despite the removal of the initial post, discussions about the images persisted, leading to widespread reposts across various accounts. The term “Taylor Swift AI” trended in some regions, amplifying the visibility of these explicit images.
The culprits may have underestimated the Taylor Swift fans (aka Swifties) and, in response, the Swifties have taken to flooding hashtags associated with the circulating images with messages promoting authentic clips of Swift’s performances, attempting to overshadow the explicit fakes.
In addition, these fans have trended the hashtag “protect Taylor Swift” to counteract the circulation of the fake images and including photos of her concerts such as the recent and shockingly successful Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
Criticisms from Swift’s fan base have been directed at X for allowing many of these explicit posts to persist. This incident underscores the significant challenge in curbing the proliferation of unauthorized deepfake AI-generated images of real individuals, particularly being depicted in sexual content online.
As government regulations in the U.S. and EU on AI exploitation are slowly catching up, the responsibility to prevent the spread of fake images often falls on social media platforms, a task made challenging by limited moderation capabilities, particularly for mismanaged platforms like X.
While some AI image generators like Midjourney impose restrictions to prevent the creation of explicit content featuring celebrities, many others lack effective safeguards. Although current AI-generated images may still exhibit subtle clues that they are not real, experts predict that advancements in technology will make it increasingly difficult to visually differentiate between authentic and generated images.
Meanwhile, X is already under investigation by the EU for allegations of disseminating illegal content and disinformation. The platform is also reportedly facing scrutiny regarding its crisis protocols, especially in the aftermath of misinformation related to the Israel-Hamas war being promoted on the platform while allowing fake images generated via AI to mislead its users.
It should be noted that not every celebrity is acting against the potential threat of AI-fakery. A recent example is Taylor Swift’s fellow music artist Nicki Minaj. The rap musician actually encouraged the use of AI-generated images of the fictional ‘Gag City‘ in promoting the release of her single “Press Play” (from the album Pink Friday 2).
In response to the rising threat of AI-generated fake content, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024. The legislation aims to address AI deepfakes, voice clones, and other harmful digital human impersonations.
As of the time of this writing, Taylor Swift and her representatives have not issued an official statement in response to this incident.
