Editor’s note: With the good, the bad and the ugly, “Look of the week” is a regular series dedicated to unboxing the most talked about outfit of the past seven days.
CNN
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A special feature at the weekend Picture by Pope Francis set the internet on fire. The image, which has been shared widely on social media, shows the 86-year-old Pope in a chunky, long white down coat, gathered at the waist and seemingly layered with other winter-weather streetwear.
It seemed to be a drastic departure from the typical regalia—robes, stoles, and tall, pointed mitered hats—often worn in the papal household. The outfit triggered a flood of tongue-in-cheek questions online: Did the Pope have a new one? stylist? Has he always had a stylist? Was the look inspired by the backup dancers at Rihanna’s Superbowl? show?
Most importantly, social media users exclaimed that they couldn’t believe the picture was real. And it wasn’t. Twitter has since added a contextual footnote to several of its top-performing tweets, clarifying that they are AI-generated tweets created using the Midjourney software tool. A 31-year-old construction worker from Chicago property since claimed of the viral image.
AI (or artificial intelligence) imaging tools are becoming more sophisticated. The technology that generates images based on user text input takes some getting used to Design including fashion shows, create entire graphic novels, and even help envision new forms of architecture. But as AI advances and computer-generated “deep fake” images become more convincing, many are concerned about the ethical implications, including removing subjects’ agency (e.g., by placing people in made-up scenarios that are defamatory or malicious). can) and whether machine learning technology will one day deface fake news.
Just last week, AI-generated photos of Donald Trump’s arrest were released spread like wildfire after the former president wrote on social media that he expects to be charged in connection with a campaign finance investigation in New York. (Trump, who maintains his innocence, has yet to be charged in any way.)
Tech expert comments on viral AI-generated photo of the Pope
If dressing is an important form of self-expression, then an AI-generated outfit could not only diminish the power and message inherent in clothing, but also a person’s autonomy. In the papacy, every article of clothing has a religious significance. The color of the Pope’s robes is specifically chosen to match certain celebrations: red can only be worn on certain occasions such as Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Pentecost as it represents the blood of Jesus Christ, while pink is only worn twice a year. Therefore, fake images of the Pope wearing certain attire outside of these – or myriad other – contexts could cause scandal, alarm or even suspicion within the Catholic community.
Digitally altering a person’s outfit could also have permanent reputation damage. A manipulated 2005 photo that appeared to show Paris Hilton at a nightclub wearing a riotous tank top that read “Stop Being Poor” became one of the most iconic pop culture images of the early years. It contributed to the public perception of Hilton as an out-of-contact heiress. you public addressed the fake image in 2021, which insists people shouldn’t “believe everything they read.” (The vest, which is part of a fashion line designed by Hilton’s sister Nicky, actually read “Stop Being Desperate.”)
During a conference at the Vatican on Monday, Pope Francis addressed the advent of AI technology and urged scientists to consider its impact on humans (although he didn’t specifically mention the excitement of faking his own appearance). “I am convinced that the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning has the potential to make a positive contribution to the future of mankind,” said Francis, before adding: “I am sure that this potential can only be realised , when there is a constant and consistent commitment on the part of those developing these technologies to act ethically and responsibly.”
“I therefore encourage you to reflect on the inherent dignity of every man and woman as a key criterion in evaluating new technologies,” said Francis. “These will prove ethical in that they help to respect that dignity and enhance its expression at all levels of human life.”
Source : www.cnn.com