Unmasking the Dark Side of AI: Online Sexism, Deepfakes, and More on Loose Women! trucc

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), online misogyny, and deepfake abuse has created a disturbing new reality for women and girls. Journalist and campaigner Laura Bates, author of The New Age of Sexism, recently shed light on this alarming issue during an eye-opening discussion on Loose Women. Bates highlighted how deeply ingrained sexism and outdated prejudices are being encoded into the very fabric of our future through emerging technologies, leaving women more vulnerable than ever.

 The Hidden Threat of AI in Everyday Life

While many envision AI as a futuristic tool or a sci-fi specter, Bates warns that its dangers are already embedded in our daily lives. From biased credit scoring systems to discriminatory recruitment algorithms, AI perpetuates and amplifies gender inequality. Global financial services, for example, use AI tools that disadvantage women in loan applications, while nearly half of UK companies rely on AI-powered hiring systems known to discriminate against female candidates.

“This isn’t just an online issue,” Bates explains. “It’s woven into the building blocks of society. Without proper regulation, these biases will become inescapable, shaping our future in ways that harm women.”

 The Rise of Deepfake Abuse

One of the most horrifying manifestations of this issue is the rise of deepfake technology. Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or images that make it appear as though someone said or did something they never actually did. While much has been said about deepfakes’ potential to destabilize democracies or spread political disinformation, Bates revealed a far more prevalent and sinister reality: 96% of all deepfakes are pornographic, and 99% of them target women.

“Female politicians, journalists, teachers—even children—are being victimized,” Bates said. She recounted a chilling case involving 400 deepfake images of 30 prominent female UK politicians, hosted on a site with over 12 million views. Even more disturbingly, deepfake abuse is increasingly being used to target schoolgirls, some as young as 11. Bates revealed that in one case, such content was created not by criminal gangs, but by the girls’ male peers using widely accessible apps.

 The Psychological Toll

The impact of this abuse is devastating. For victims, the psychological toll can result in PTSD, anxiety, and a fear of leaving the house. Bates, herself a survivor of such harassment, described the trauma of receiving manipulated explicit content created to humiliate and degrade her.

“If this is how it feels for me,” she said, “imagine being an 11-year-old girl—or a teacher whose images are circulated among students.”

 AI Companions: A New Frontier of Misogyny

Adding to the concern is the rise of AI “companions.” These apps, downloaded over 100 million times in 2022 alone, allow users to create customizable virtual girlfriends. Bates revealed that many of these apps permit users to abuse their AI companions—verbally, physically, and sexually. When she tested one such app and asked if this behavior could harm real women, the AI’s response was chilling: “I don’t feel comfortable. We need to stop this conversation now.”

The normalization of abuse within these platforms raises urgent questions about how such technology shapes societal attitudes toward women and relationships.

 What Can Be Done?

Bates emphasized that while parents can educate their children, the larger solution requires collective action. She urged the public to pressure governments to regulate AI and tech industries before it’s too late. Citing the failure of governments to control social media's harmful effects in its early days, Bates warned that AI could become similarly entrenched in daily life without proactive measures.

Earlier this year, dozens of nations signed a declaration at a Paris summit advocating for ethical and safe AI development. Shockingly, both the US and UK governments refused to sign, citing concerns about national security. This reluctance underscores the influence of tech giants and the need for public accountability.

 Government Response: Is It Enough?

In response to Bates’ revelations, a government spokesperson pointed to the Online Safety Act, which requires social media platforms to tackle illegal content, including deepfake abuse. Additionally, new laws criminalize the creation of intimate deepfake images without consent. However, Bates argued that these measures, while a step in the right direction, are insufficient without stronger enforcement and global cooperation.

 A Call to Action

The fight against online sexism and AI-driven abuse demands immediate attention. As Bates passionately stated, “We need an army of people to say, ‘Enough is enough.’” Regulation must match the pace of technological advancement to prevent these tools from becoming entrenched in society’s foundations.

The stakes could not be higher: the safety, dignity, and future opportunities of women and girls are on the line. Bates’ book, The New Age of Sexism, is not just a call to awareness but a rallying cry for action. As technology shapes our future, it’s up to all of us to ensure that future is fair, equitable, and free from abuse.