In the recent past, an image featuring the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, in the attire of the Pope circulated very quickly on social media platforms after the president himself shared it. The image was generated through artificial intelligence (AI) software that can produce doctored but realistic images. Most people thought the picture was genuine at first glance, and this resulted in perplexity, criticism, and even offence, particularly from the Catholic world.
Why are Catholics Angry?
The Pope is a revered and sacred figure among Catholics worldwide. To see Donald Trump—a political leader infamous for his provocative opinions—photoshopped as the Pope was seen as disrespectful by many. People vented their outrage on social media, describing the image as inappropriate and offensive to their faith. Some indicated that making a holy symbol into a meme or joke is crossing a boundary.
The Rise of AI Images
Artificial intelligence becomes smarter day by day. It has become easy to create fake images that seem extremely real using tools such as Midjourney, DALL·E, and others. Such tools are entertaining and imaginative, but can prove to be dangerous if used wrongly. It is easy for anyone to make fake content that spreads misinformation or disrespects specific groups, just as it has been done here.
Read More:Â Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over Stricter Immigration Policies
What Can be Done?
Following the backlash, several people began advocating for tighter regulations surrounding AI-generated content. Some experts opine that there ought to be watermark s or notices on AI photos so that individuals do not mistake them for actual images. Others think social media sites must carefully monitor such content.
Think Before You Share
This viral moment teaches us an important lesson: not everything you read on the internet is true. Before posting something unbelievable or shocking, it’s always best to double-check the source. The internet is fast, and sometimes a little joke can create a big issue.
Final Thoughts
AI is here to stay, and it can be utilised for incredible things—art, education, finding jobs, learning skills etc. But where there’s great power, there’s also great responsibility. We should use this technology in a manner that’s respectful of people’s beliefs and doesn’t confuse them. And as users, we have our part to play too: be intelligent, be compassionate, and don’t take everything you see at face value.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates