Fake news, intelligent technology, and creative imaginations have brought us to a place where it can be hard to differentiate between reality and fiction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made a stir and made deciphering the truth more difficult than ever.
In March 2021, an image of the Pope Francis wearing a Balenciaga bubble coat was circulating around the internet. It seemed like a plausible concept and had everyone talking about his hip new look. Unfortunately, the photo was not a genuine shot – it was an AI fabrication created using the program Midjourney. Together with just three prompts – “Catholic Pope Francis,” “Balenciaga puffy coat,” and “streets of Paris” – Chicagoan Pablo Xavier was able to fool an entire nation. This goes to show how easy it is to fabricate images with AI technology these days and how quickly it can spread.
More popular is the talk about ChatGPT, a program developed by OpenAI. It enables users to write essays, build résumés, solve mathematical problems, and create images, such as the “Balenciaga Pope.” This has made educators question the usefulness of homework since automated assistance takes the creative exercise out of learning. Technology can be amazing, but it can also be a detriment if we let it erase the fundamental divide between humans and machines.
AI can foster a more far-reaching negative impact on the world. It is becoming increasingly plausible that drones, robotic bartenders, and driver-less cars may not be so far away in the future. Distinguished figures such as Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak are calling for a six-month halt to the growth of artificial intelligence—just to ensure safety measures against further implications.
The dangers of AI are many: Skynet-like scenarios could cause havoc, robotic assistants could be used to control people and displace jobs, and deepfakes can be used in malicious ways, just like how two AI versions of Drake and Weeknd’s “Munch” and a fake Jay-Z verse went viral. It is clear that we need to be vigilant with the implementation of AI development, as well as maintain a clear line between humanity and its technological advancements.
OpenAI is a technology company that develops artificial intelligence models and technologies to promote the development of artificial general intelligence. Founded in 2016, OpenAI works to advance digital intelligence technologies in a safe and secure environment that emphasizes collaboration and transparency. OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial intelligence technology benefits all of humanity and to develop technologies that are both accessible and safe.
Pablo Xavier is the Chicago man responsible for creating the “Balenciaga pope” deepfake with AI using the program Midjourney. Pablo has made it his mission to push the boundaries of AI technology, highlighting both its dangerous potential as well as its more creative implications. He is an advocate for the open-source AI movement and has spoken at several conferences about the implications of AI technology.
