Ethics: Image Creation and Manipulation
People, The Image of God, and AI Images
Theologically, the image of God is that people are unique (not an animal) and that we are imbued with something of the divine (creativity, rule, etc.). We are image bearers, wherever we are, there is a marker for the presence and sovereignty of God.
1 - AI Generated Pornography - We are all Image bearers, as such, we are more than just flesh and blood. AI porn reduces an image bearing person to a 2-dimensional picture (no voice, no brain, no personality, they lose personhood). It takes away our soul. AI images are harmful to the gender of the image - reduced to less than human. AI images are also damaging to the viewer - it "dehumanizes" the gender of the image - it takes away the soul and it warps all future perceptions. The viewer will then have issues dealing with people because they have now a corrupt view of an entire gender.
2 - AI Image Generation - AI images create "perfect" images, flawlessness. The problem is that this raises the expectations for beauty to something beyond what is possible. AI also tends to exaggerate certain physical attributes. By doing so, it warps our perceptions of what is beautiful.
3 - AI Image Generation and Self-Perception - Related to above, is the fact that these images of perfection warp our self-perception and damage our self-worth. We are unable to measure up to that perfection and in the process brings shame to our self-consciousness. It makes us feel bad about ourselves when it shouldn't. We are much more than a 2-dimensional image; we are image bearers.
Deepfakes OR False Images of Real People
1 - Deepfakes of real people can damage perceptions, are intended to deceive others, and produce a false view of reality. The image manipulation can be as simple as exaggerating one body part, putting something into the image that doesn't exist, or could be putting one person's face on another person's body. This can harm people. This can change how someone is viewed, especially, if the generated image is of a person in a compromising position. This manipulates perceptions and is unethical.
2 - Intentional Misinformation - Images and videos can be altered or even created. In doing so then intention is to spread misinformation. In the process truth and reality are damaged. Images of warfare, politicians, or disasters can cause panic and harm to large portions of the population. Truth itself will become difficult to discern.