Today, Explained

How an AI pope pic fooled us

Mar 29, 2023
James Vincent, a Senior reporter at The Verge and an expert in AI, dives into the viral sensation of an AI-generated image of Pope Francis sporting a stylish puffer jacket. He discusses how this advanced technology blurs the lines between reality and fabrication, raising concerns about misinformation in the digital age. The conversation highlights the societal implications of misleading imagery, the rise of audio deepfakes, and the urgent need for media literacy. Vincent also stresses the ethical responsibilities of major tech companies navigating this evolving landscape.
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ANECDOTE

Viral Pope Image

  • Sean Rameswaram saw a viral image of Pope Francis in a stylish white puffer jacket.
  • He initially believed it was real and shared it with others.
INSIGHT

AI Milestone

  • The AI-generated Pope image is a milestone in AI fakes fooling many people.
  • James Vincent, a reporter at The Verge, noticed many believed the image was real.
ADVICE

Spotting AI Fakes

  • Look for inconsistencies in AI-generated images, especially in details like hands and textures.
  • AI struggles with systems, so examine how objects interact and the background details.
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