During Poynter's community conversation, Alex Mahadevan, an expert in AI, discussed the implications of AI-generated images in shaping online narratives. He showcased a humorous yet alarming example of a digitally altered Jesus Christ depicted with shrimp limbs, illustrating how such images aim for viral engagement. Mahadevan further stressed the serious concern of AI visuals appearing during real-world crises, exemplified by a viral image of a child during Hurricane Helene. The panel emphasized the growing willingness of audiences to accept visually engaging content as truth, regardless of its authenticity, showcasing a dangerous trend in information consumption.
"This is just one example of 'Shrimp Jesus.' This is an AI-generated image that was created to basically garner a ton of engagement, which it did."
"You may have seen this image of the crying child that went viral. It looks hyperrealistic; it was used politically."
"It doesn't matter anymore. If what you see online conforms to your viewpoints, you're willing to believe it as truth."
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