Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that fake images of her generated by artificial intelligence were circulating online, warning that such fake photos could mislead the public and target people unable to defend themselves.
Meloni said in a statement that several fake photos of her had been created with artificial intelligence and had been passed off as real by her political opponents.
She posted one such image that appeared to show her sitting on a bed in her underwear. The original post included an outraged comment that the photo was embarrassing and unworthy of an Italian prime minister.
“I must admit that whoever created them, at least in the attached case, has also improved me quite a bit,” Meloni said, adding that the episode showed how “anything” is now used to attack people and spread falsehoods.
“The point, however, is beyond me,” he said. “Deepfakes are a dangerous tool because they can deceive, manipulate and hit anyone. I can defend myself. Many others cannot.”
Meloni urged people to check the authenticity of online content before accepting or sharing it.
“One rule should always apply: verify before you believe and think before you share,” he said.
Meloni filed a defamation lawsuit two years ago against a Sardinian man accused of creating deepfake pornographic images using his face and posting them online. The case continues.
