SAG-AFTRA and White House Address AI-Generated Explicit Images of Taylor Swift
SAG-AFTRA and the White House issue strong statements against the unauthorized use of AI to create explicit images of Taylor Swift, highlighting the need for legal action and ethical guidelines.
SAG-AFTRA and the White House have issued separate statements addressing the recent issue of AI-generated pornographic images of Taylor Swift. These images, which surfaced on social media last week, have sparked significant discussions about the boundaries and ethical implications of artificial intelligence in the media.
SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, released a statement last Friday, expressing their concern over the explicit images that portrayed the singer in a sexualized manner. The union described these images as "upsetting, harmful, and deeply concerning," and highlighted the urgent need for legal measures against the unauthorized creation and distribution of such content. “The development and dissemination of fake images — especially those of a lewd nature — without someone's consent must be made illegal,” the union emphasized.
This statement resonates with the union’s agreement with studios, signed in November after negotiations during a 118-day strike, which includes provisions for the protection against the misuse of artificial intelligence. It encompasses a comprehensive definition of generative AI, along with guidelines for notice, consent, and compensation regarding digital replicas of actors. Moreover, it acknowledges the significance of human performance in motion pictures and its potential employment impact. Despite these advancements, some SAG-AFTRA members have criticized the contract for not advocating for more extensive protections.
In a show of solidarity, SAG-AFTRA's statement concluded with support for the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, proposed by Congressman Joe Morelle. This act aims to prevent such exploitative practices in the future. “We support Taylor, and women everywhere who are victims of this kind of privacy invasion and denial of their right to autonomy,” the statement concluded.
The White House also weighed in on the matter. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, during a news briefing, described the images of Swift as “very alarming.” Jean-Pierre pointed out the often disproportionate impact of lax enforcement on women. She emphasized the role of social media companies in managing content and preventing the spread of misinformation and non-consensual intimate imagery. This statement aligns with the President's recent initiative to launch the nation's first 24/7 helpline for survivors of image-based sexual abuse, which started operating this fall.
The responses from SAG-AFTRA and the White House reflect a growing awareness and concern about the implications of AI technologies in personal privacy and media ethics from both the media industries and the government, and it could be another push for a more comprehensive legal framework for the developing technology.