Artificial Intelligence and Deception: How Facebook’s AI-Generated Images of Jesus Christ are Spreading Scams and Disguising Real Art

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been generating thousands of bizarre images of Jesus Christ that have been flooding Facebook. These images are accompanied by texts like “No one likes my artistic work” and “May 2024 is your best year.” Facebook’s algorithm promotes these images, with some becoming viral and attracting large audiences for pages that then monetize or scam users. Researchers like Renée DiResta from Stanford University have noted the popularity of these AI-generated images on social media platforms, with many users interacting with them, potentially including bots.

A study conducted on these AI-generated images found that many Facebook pages with over 50 such images each had an average of almost 130,000 followers. The authors of the study believe that Facebook’s algorithm plays a significant role in promoting these images and driving engagement. Some users assume that these images are real and express admiration and appreciation in the comments, while others are more skeptical.

However, the underlying issue is how these AI-generated images blur the line between real art and deception, potentially making it easier for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals. Scam accounts may interact with gullible users, offering financial assistance or selling fake products. The authors of the study also highlight how these pages may change their names or tactics to extract benefits from their followers.

The potential dangers of these AI-generated images were highlighted by the researchers who suggest that it may be challenging for the average user to distinguish between AI-generated and real content, especially with the increasing use of recommendation algorithms. As these images continue to dominate social media platforms, users need to remain vigilant and question the authenticity of what they see online.

Facebook has not yet labeled AI-generated content, which raises questions about how it will regulate this emerging trend in digital media. It remains to be seen how this technology will evolve and impact society in the future.