Opposition parties inItalyhave complained to the communications watchdog about a series of AI-generated images published on social media by deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini’s far-right party, calling them “racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic”, the Guardian has learned.The centre-left Democratic party (PD), with the Greens and Left Alliance, filed a complaint on Thursday with Agcom, the Italian communications regulatory authority, alleging the fake images used by the League contained “almost all categories of hate speech”.Over the past month, dozens of apparently AI‑generated photos have appeared on the League’s social channels, including on Facebook, Instagram and X. The images frequently depict men of colour, often armed with knives, attacking women or police officers.Antonio Nicita, a PD senator, said: “In the images published by Salvini’s party and generated by AI there are almost all categories of hate speech, from racism and xenophobia to Islamophobia. They are using AI to target specific categories of people – immigrants, Arabs – who are portrayed as potential criminals, thieves and rapists.“These images are not only violent but also deceptive: by blurring the faces of the victims it is as if they want to protect the identity of the person attacked, misleading users into believing the photo is real. These are images that incite hatred.”“This is serious,” said Francesco Emilio Borrelli, an MP for the Greens and Left Alliance. “AI generates content based on our instructions, and in this case it was clearly instructed to generate images of black people robbing an elderly woman or a frightened woman. It is part of their strategy to create fear among citizens.”A spokesperson for Salvini’s party confirmed that “some of the pictures” featured on their social media channels had been “generated digitally”.In a statement it said: “The point is not the image. The point is the fact. Each post is based on true reports from Italian newspapers, with names, dates and places. If reality seems too harsh, do not blame those who report it, but those who make it so. If it is about a crime, it is hard to accompany the news with cheerful or reassuring images.”View image in fullscreenA spokesperson for the Lega party that is led by Matteo Salvini (pictured) said ‘some of the pictures’ had been ‘generated digitally’.Photograph: Riccardo Antimiani/EPASalvatore Romano, the head of research at the nonprofit AI Forensics, said the League pictures bore “all the hallmarks of artificial intelligence”. “They are out‑of‑context photos in which the subject is in the foreground and the rest is entirely blurred. What worries me is that these AI‑generated images are becoming ever more realistic.”The complaint to Agcom cites several examples of images thought to have been digitally generated, saying they have appeared alongside the branding of reputable mainstream media outlets which have reported on the crimes mentioned but not used images of the alleged perpetrators.In one case, the League’s post says: “A foreigner attacks the train conductor” and pairs the text with an image of a man of colour with his fist raised. Theoriginal headline in Il Resto del Carlinoreads: “He attacks the [female] train conductor and sparks panic on board.” The article makes no mention of the suspect’s nationality beyond calling him a “foreigner”. There was no photograph of the alleged attack.Another image featured in the complaint shows a mother and father in Islamic dress appearing to shout angrily at a girl, “thus feeding racial and Islamophobic prejudice”. Il Giorno, the newspaper that is cited, makes no reference in its report to the religion of either the family or the girl allegedly abused by her parents, beyond saying the child had attended Arabic language school. There was no photograph of the family.The use of AI‑generated images forpropaganda by far‑right parties is a growing phenomenonthat entered the mainstream around last year’s European elections, when images designed to stoke fears over immigration or demonise leaders such as Emmanuel Macron began circulating on social media.“Then came the American elections withDonald Trump and Elon Musk, who effectively normalised this trend,” said Romano. “Today we see that far‑right parties have not only continued to generate fake images for propaganda but have also increased their use at a time when AI tools have improved content quality, making the phenomenon all the more worrying.”Despite social platforms being obliged to take steps to anticipate these risks – for example by adding a label specifying that an image has been generated by AI – Romano says that, in practice, this mechanism is almost always ineffective.Asked if the League was aware that the images could generate hate speech, a spokesperson for Salvini’s party said: “We are sorry, but our solidarity goes to the victims, not the perpetrators. If denouncing crimes committed by foreigners means ‘xenophobia’, perhaps the problem is not the word but those who use it to censor debate. We will continue to denounce, with strong words and images, what others prefer to ignore.’’If Agcom deems the flagged content offensive it can, under the EU’s Digital Services Act, order posts to be taken down, accounts to be removed and social media platforms to be fined for failing to police user behaviour. In 2023,Agcom fined Meta€5.85m and ordered the removal of dozens of accounts for breaching the ban on gambling advertising.Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, was approached for comment. X declined to comment.
Italian opposition file complaint over far-right deputy PM party’s use of ‘racist’ AI images
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Italian Opposition Complains to Regulator Over Far-Right Party's Use of AI-Generated Images"
The Guardian
6.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Opposition parties in Italy have lodged a formal complaint with the communications regulatory authority, Agcom, against the far-right party led by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. The complaint asserts that a series of AI-generated images disseminated on the party’s social media accounts are not only misleading but also inherently racist, Islamophobic, and xenophobic. The centre-left Democratic Party (PD), alongside the Greens and Left Alliance, highlighted that these images often depict men of color in violent scenarios, suggesting they are perpetrators of crime. Senator Antonio Nicita emphasized that the images used by Salvini's party exemplify various categories of hate speech, as they portray specific groups, particularly immigrants and Arabs, in a negative light. The images, which typically feature blurred faces of supposed victims, are designed to mislead viewers into perceiving them as real incidents, thereby inciting hatred among the public. This strategy is viewed as part of a broader fear-mongering campaign aimed at creating anxiety within Italian society regarding crime and immigration.
The spokesperson for Salvini's party acknowledged that some of the images were indeed digitally generated, defending their use by asserting that the posts are based on factual reports from Italian news outlets. However, critics argue that this is a dangerous tactic that exploits AI technology to propagate fear and prejudice. Salvatore Romano, a research head at the nonprofit AI Forensics, noted the realistic nature of these AI-generated images and their potential to distort public perception. The complaint includes specific examples where AI images were paired with headlines from reputable media, which did not depict the alleged perpetrators. This trend of using AI for propaganda has been on the rise, particularly among far-right parties since the last European elections. With the increasing sophistication of AI tools, there are growing concerns about the implications for public discourse and the potential for inciting hate speech. If Agcom finds the flagged content offensive, it has the authority to mandate the removal of posts and impose fines on social media platforms for failing to regulate such behavior effectively.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on a recent controversy surrounding the use of AI-generated images by Matteo Salvini's far-right party in Italy. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the racist and xenophobic nature of these images, which depict men of color in violent scenarios. This situation highlights the intersection of technology, politics, and societal attitudes towards immigration and crime in Italy.
Motivation Behind the Publication
The primary intention behind this article appears to be raising awareness about the potential dangers of using AI technology in political propaganda. By exposing the allegations against Salvini’s party, the opposition aims to challenge the narratives that incite fear and division within society. The article serves to inform the public about the ethical implications of using AI in this manner, possibly to galvanize support for a more responsible approach to technology in political discourse.
Public Perception and Societal Impact
The dissemination of the article is likely intended to shape public perception of the far-right party as employing manipulative tactics to foster fear among citizens. By labeling the images as racist and Islamophobic, the article seeks to galvanize opposition against such narratives and encourage a more inclusive dialogue regarding immigration and social issues in Italy.
Concealed Information
While the article focuses on the controversy surrounding the AI images, there may be underlying issues related to the broader socio-political climate in Italy that it does not address. For instance, the dynamics within the ruling coalition and the public's response to immigration policies could be relevant but are not explored in depth.
Manipulative Elements
The article presents a high degree of manipulation by emphasizing the negative implications of the AI images and framing them within a larger narrative of hate speech. The language used suggests a strong condemnation of the far-right party's actions. The framing could lead readers to adopt a more polarized view of the political landscape in Italy, potentially overshadowing other important discussions.
Truthfulness of the Report
The article appears to be grounded in factual reporting, citing specific actions taken by opposition parties and providing direct quotes from political figures. However, the interpretation of the images as inherently racist relies on subjective analysis, which could affect how readers perceive the truth of the claims being made.
Comparison with Other Reports
When compared to similar reports, this article aligns with a trend in media coverage that scrutinizes the use of technology in political campaigning. It reflects a growing concern over the ethical implications of AI and the potential for misuse in political contexts, a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant across various nations.
Potential Outcomes
The article could influence public opinion against the far-right party, potentially impacting future elections and political discourse in Italy. It may also lead to calls for stricter regulations on the use of AI in political advertising, thereby reshaping the landscape of political communication.
Target Audience
This article is likely aimed at progressive and left-leaning audiences who are concerned about racism and xenophobia in politics. It seeks to engage individuals who are already critical of the far-right and may galvanize support for parties that promote inclusivity.
Economic and Market Implications
While the immediate economic impact may be limited, the article could affect investor sentiment toward companies involved in AI technology, especially if there is a broader movement toward regulating AI in political contexts. The implications could ripple across sectors associated with technology and media.
Global Context
In a broader context, the article reflects ongoing global discussions surrounding the ethical use of AI and its implications for democracy. The themes of manipulation and fear-based politics resonate with current events worldwide, highlighting a universal challenge faced by societies navigating technological advancements.
AI Influence in Reporting
It is possible that AI tools were used in crafting the article, particularly in analyzing the patterns of hate speech associated with the images. However, the human angle provided through quotes and analysis suggests a strong editorial presence that guides the narrative. In conclusion, while the article is credible and highlights significant issues regarding political propaganda and the misuse of technology, it also carries elements of manipulation aimed at shaping public discourse against the far-right party in Italy.