Social media users have been sharing explicit, nude images of Taylor Swift generated using AI, sparking outrage among her fans and others.
These deepfakes, referencing Swift’s connection with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, depicted her in various suggestive poses while partially dressed in Kansas City Chiefs attire in front of crowds of fans.
According to The Daily Dot, before platforms cracked down on the content, at least 22 million people had viewed these images. Dedicated fans rallied to report the images and flooded social media with positive reviews of Swift’s music, using terms like “Taylor Swift AI” to overshadow the obscene fakes. Consequently, the issue trended on Thursday night. Reports suggest that these images were also found on Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram, all of which are working to curb their spread.
While it’s unclear who created the images, one particular bill has been cited as the reason for their viral spread.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner wrote on X, “I’ve consistently warned about the potential misuse of AI to create non-consensual intimate imagery.” “This is a despicable act, and I will continue to urge platforms and AI companies to prevent this malicious capability.”
Coinciding with the images going viral, a purported Swift stalker was apprehended three times within three days near the band’s New York City residence.
Some responses from concerned viewers include:
“The Taylor Swift AI images are despicable,” one said. “The fact that they exist is truly horrifying. Report and ignore these posts. Some of these guys really deserve to be locked in cages and sent to Mars or something.”
“Don’t misuse technology; protect her. #ProtectTaylorSwift. Taylor Swift AI is as repulsive as hell,” another wrote.
“I hope there’s a special place in hell for those who think it’s acceptable to create explicit images of women,” another lamented. “I hope heaven is terrifying and torturous.”
“It’s baffling how many strong statements I’ve seen in support of garbage like the Taylor Swift AI images,” another added. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Taylor! No, it’s just terrible when it happens to anyone. When people also mistreated Tom Holland, it was awful; I still remember that garbage. But keep deflecting.”
“Taylor Swift fans are truly amazing,” another commenter praised. “When her AI video went viral, they mobilized with over 200k tweets to defend Taylor, urging action and suspending accounts that posted it. They actually do more than our legal system can.”
Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter/X, has yet to comment on the situation, and neither has Swift.
In October, President Joe Biden issued an executive order attempting to combat “generative AI” from producing material for child sexual exploitation or non-consensual intimate images of real individuals. Some states also prohibit “nonconsensual digitally manipulated pornography.” In addition to gendered images, deepfakes are increasingly being used by unscrupulous entities to depict celebrities endorsing products.
Algorithmic manipulation poses a significant concern as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Recently, a deepfake mocking Biden’s speech was utilized in an attempt to influence the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.
