AI as a double-edged sword: 4chan's artificial intelligence manipulates women's images

The escalating prowess of artificial intelligence arouses both admiration and apprehension. Images created by AI appear so genuine that it's easy to accept their authenticity. Google indeed mandated the appropriate labelling of such photos, yet the danger of deception remains high—boosting the risk of spreading misinformation. The "pic or didn't happen" argument holds little weight nowadays.

However, it's critical not to vilify AI. It is an immensely beneficial tool across several industries, enhancing various processes and suggesting innovative solutions in creative fields.

4chan users tasked artificial intelligence with an unconventional assignment. AI took the reins to "refine" women's photographs. Traditionalist 4chan users utilised this tool to adapt photos of females who seemingly affronted their values.

Consequently, the image of a woman posing in a cut-out dress vanished. The AI's intervention made her representation in the image fully clothed. The model was depicted standing in front of a mirror in a top and underwear and was given a brand new outfit— a dusty pink dress buttoned up to the neck with a waist-cinching belt. A similar destiny befell the photo of a woman in lingerie standing on a seaside cliff as her lace set was substituted with a modest dress. These outfits had a shared characteristic: a stereotypical clean, orderly appearance with rounded collars and buttoned-up buttons conveying "good girls" vibes.

But it doesn't stop there. The 4chan community also opted to "enhance" the photo of a woman with tattoos and piercings. While they removed her tattoos and piercings, they added the gift of a "breast enlargement operation", ironically deviating from their apparent adherence to naturalness and traditional values.

It's important to acknowledge that using AI to either "dress" or "undress" women is inappropriate. Both actions operate with a single purpose: to mould women's appearance to male expectations.