Islanders warned over 'rapid advance' of AI images

People are being warned about the dangers of AI generated images, by official in Jersey.

The island's Information Commissioner Paul Vane is one of a number of officials to sign a statement calling for greater oversight of online image generation.

He said: "It's too easy to think 'it'll never happen to us', and we owe it to our community, and especially our young people, to educate how to use AI ethically and safely."

Along with counterparts in Guernsey, he issued guidance explaining steps individuals could take to protect themselves.

The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner said it had signed the joint statement along with 60 other jurisdictions, following "serious concerns" about AI systems being used to generate "realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent".

Vane said: "AI tools that can generate or alter images and video are advancing rapidly. When used responsibly they hold tremendous promise. But as recent reporting makes clear, they are already being used to harm real people".

Last week, a social media account which posted "deeply inappropriate deepfake content" which "targeted school staff" sparked an investigation from police in Jersey.

Working with counterparts in Guernsey's Office of the Data Protection Authority, guidance has been issued to help people protect themselves.

It includes things like limiting what you share online, being cautious with AI platforms and speaking to children about how they use them.

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