Home / Technology / Irish Politician's Deepfake Nightmare Fuels Fight for AI Safety
Irish Politician's Deepfake Nightmare Fuels Fight for AI Safety
1 Dec
Summary
- Politician targeted by pornographic deepfake weeks before election.
- Police could not investigate deepfake due to lack of tech/expertise.
- Deepfake abuse bill nearing completion in UK and Northern Ireland.
An Irish politician recounts the horror of discovering a pornographic deepfake bearing her face just weeks before a crucial election. The incident, which occurred in April 2022, left her struggling to comprehend the technology and its implications. Initially, police were unable to investigate due to a lack of resources and expertise, forcing her to uncover details herself.
Her experience underscores the personal toll of deepfake abuse, including social ostracization and professional damage, despite her eventual election victory. She now actively campaigns for stronger legislation, such as the Online Safety Act, to criminalize the creation and distribution of such content, noting that public understanding of its harms remains insufficient.
As legislation progresses in the UK and Northern Ireland, the politician fears such abuse deters women from entering politics. She advocates for clear AI video marking and stronger protections, drawing parallels to international efforts and emphasizing the need to combat the normalization of violence against women.
