New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing a new challenge in the digital age, as fake AI-generated images began circulating online that show him with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The images, which are patently photoshopped and AI-generated, were created using an AI tool developed by Google. The images depict the mayor as a child with his mother posing with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos.
Mamdani described seeing these images as "incredibly difficult," both personally and professionally. As a public figure, he understands how quickly misinformation can spread across social media platforms. The mayor's comments come at a time when the use of AI-generated images is becoming increasingly prevalent in politics.
This is not the first time Mamdani has fallen victim to an attack through AI images. Last year's mayoral race saw Andrew Cuomo's campaign briefly publish an AI-generated ad that included an image of Mamdani eating rice with his hands. The depiction was followed by a series of characters, including a Black man shoplifting while wearing a keffiyeh and an older white woman driving drunk.
Mamdani is now calling for more robust regulation of artificial intelligence at all levels of government. He believes that the current system is ill-equipped to handle the speed and reach of these technologies. The mayor also echoed Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to ban the use of generative AI in political campaigns in New York.
The city education department is expected to publish new rules on the use of AI tools in classrooms later this month, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the future of education. As the debate around AI-generated images continues, Mamdani's comments serve as a reminder of the need for government officials to take deliberate steps to rein in the abuses of this evolving technology.
The spread of misinformation through AI-generated images is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from lawmakers and regulatory bodies. As Mamdani so aptly put it, "a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." It's time for policymakers to take action and establish a system that can effectively regulate the use of AI-generated images in politics.
Mamdani described seeing these images as "incredibly difficult," both personally and professionally. As a public figure, he understands how quickly misinformation can spread across social media platforms. The mayor's comments come at a time when the use of AI-generated images is becoming increasingly prevalent in politics.
This is not the first time Mamdani has fallen victim to an attack through AI images. Last year's mayoral race saw Andrew Cuomo's campaign briefly publish an AI-generated ad that included an image of Mamdani eating rice with his hands. The depiction was followed by a series of characters, including a Black man shoplifting while wearing a keffiyeh and an older white woman driving drunk.
Mamdani is now calling for more robust regulation of artificial intelligence at all levels of government. He believes that the current system is ill-equipped to handle the speed and reach of these technologies. The mayor also echoed Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to ban the use of generative AI in political campaigns in New York.
The city education department is expected to publish new rules on the use of AI tools in classrooms later this month, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the future of education. As the debate around AI-generated images continues, Mamdani's comments serve as a reminder of the need for government officials to take deliberate steps to rein in the abuses of this evolving technology.
The spread of misinformation through AI-generated images is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from lawmakers and regulatory bodies. As Mamdani so aptly put it, "a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." It's time for policymakers to take action and establish a system that can effectively regulate the use of AI-generated images in politics.