Daily Current Affairs : 8-January-2025

AI-generated deepfake technology is becoming increasingly weaponized against women, especially those in public life. These fake videos and images, created using artificial intelligence, can severely harm a woman’s reputation, personal life, and career. The use of deepfakes to target women, particularly female politicians, is a rising issue in today’s digital age.

Issues with AI Deepfakes
  • Misuse of AI Technology: Many inexpensive AI tools and apps are available to create harmful content. These tools make it easy to produce non-consensual, sexualized videos or images, which are often spread without the person’s consent. Women, especially in politics, are frequent targets of these attacks.
  • Targeted Harassment: Female politicians such as Angela Rayner in the UK and Giorgia Meloni in Italy have faced reputational damage from deepfake porn videos. These videos are not only false but are also intentionally created to harm their professional and personal lives.
  • Lack of Regulation: Countries like Pakistan do not have specific laws to address the creation and spread of deepfakes. The absence of clear legal frameworks makes it difficult to stop or punish those responsible for creating and sharing these harmful materials.
The Impacts on Women
  • Personal Trauma: Public figures like Azma Bukhari in Pakistan have been subjected to public humiliation due to deepfake videos. These fake videos can cause severe emotional distress and harm the reputation of the victims.
  • Silencing Effect: Fear of becoming victims of deepfake harassment discourages many women from participating in politics or public life. This effect harms gender equality and limits women’s voices in decision-making processes.
  • Global Security Risks: Deepfake technology can also be used for blackmail or spreading disinformation. For instance, cases like Meena Majeed in Pakistan show how deepfakes can be used to manipulate public opinion or target individuals in sensitive situations.
  • Widening the Privilege Gap: Women who do not have the resources to fight back against deepfakes are at a greater disadvantage. Unlike high-profile figures like U.S. Congress members, many women cannot afford the legal or technical means required to have fake content removed or corrected.
Important Points:
  • AI misuse: Cheap AI tools are used to create harmful, non-consensual content targeting women, particularly in politics.
  • Targeted harassment: Female politicians, such as Angela Rayner (UK) and Giorgia Meloni (Italy), have been harmed by deepfake porn.
  • Lack of regulation: Countries like Pakistan have no specific laws to prevent or punish deepfake creation and distribution.
  • Personal trauma: Women like Azma Bukhari (Pakistan) have experienced public humiliation due to deepfake videos.
  • Silencing effect: Fear of harassment through deepfakes discourages women from participating in politics, impacting gender equality.
  • Global security risks: Deepfakes can be used for blackmail, disinformation, and manipulation, as seen in cases like Meena Majeed (Pakistan).
  • Privilege gap: Women without resources struggle to remove fake content, unlike high-profile individuals with better access to legal and technical help.
Why In News

AI-generated deepfake technology is increasingly being weaponized against women, particularly female politicians, to tarnish their reputations, spread misinformation, and deter them from participating in public life, ultimately undermining gender equality in governance.

MCQs about The Harmful Impact of AI Deepfakes on Women in Public Life
  1. What is a major issue with the misuse of AI-generated deepfakes?
    A. They help promote political unity
    B. They create non-consensual, harmful content targeting women
    C. They improve digital security
    D. They make it easier to detect false news
    Correct Answer: B. They create non-consensual, harmful content targeting women
    Explanation: AI tools are used to generate harmful, non-consensual content, often targeting women, especially in politics. These tools make it easy to create fake videos or images that can damage reputations.
  2. Which of the following female politicians have been targeted by deepfake content, as mentioned in the essay?
    A. Kamala Harris
    B. Angela Rayner (UK) and Giorgia Meloni (Italy)
    C. Jacinda Ardern
    D. Hillary Clinton
    Correct Answer: B. Angela Rayner (UK) and Giorgia Meloni (Italy)
    Explanation: The essay mentions Angela Rayner from the UK and Giorgia Meloni from Italy as examples of female politicians who have faced reputational harm due to deepfake pornography.
  3. What is a significant impact of deepfake technology on women in public life?
    A. It enhances their online presence
    B. It leads to public humiliation and trauma
    C. It provides more opportunities for women in politics
    D. It helps women connect with their supporters
    Correct Answer: B. It leads to public humiliation and trauma
    Explanation: Women, especially public figures like Azma Bukhari, suffer public humiliation due to deepfake videos, which cause emotional distress and harm their reputations.
  4. Why is there a widening privilege gap in dealing with deepfakes?
    A. Only high-profile individuals have access to AI technology
    B. Women without resources struggle to remove fake content
    C. Deepfakes are only targeted at women in power
    D. Women in politics have fewer social media followers
    Correct Answer: B. Women without resources struggle to remove fake content
    Explanation: Women who lack financial or legal resources find it difficult to remove harmful deepfake content, unlike high-profile individuals who have better access to legal and technical support.

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