Italy’s Meloni warns of AI deepfakes after fake explicit images spread

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned on Wednesday about the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes after explicit fake images of her were circulated online.

Meloni reposted one of the manipulated images on social media, saying: “Deepfakes are dangerous and can target anyone.” She added that a number of fabricated images had been created and shared in recent days, with some presented as authentic.

“I have the means to defend myself, but many people do not,” she said, urging users to verify content before believing or sharing it. “Today it’s me, tomorrow it could be you.”

The Italian leader said the images were part of attempts to spread false information and damage reputations, warning that advances in artificial intelligence have made such manipulation easier to produce and harder to detect.

Meloni also called for stronger regulations to curb the misuse of AI technologies.

She has previously been targeted by similar content. Around five years ago, her likeness was used in a fake pornographic video, in a case that led to legal proceedings against two individuals in Sardinia.

The latest incident comes amid broader concerns in Italy about disinformation online, including coordinated waves of false content earlier this year ahead of a judicial referendum.

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