Roland Meyer
Immediately after the landing of Artemis 2, AI-generated images of the recovery spread online. We have seen this before, with the kidnapping of Maduro or the mass protests against ICE raids – fake images of real events. While these synthetic images fictionalize reality, they are not necessarily meant as disinformation. Rather, they both illustrate and cater to widespread expectations. In our hypervisualized world of ubiquitous networked cameras, we expect to see perfect images of whatever is happening immediately. #AIslop delivers.
1/3
4:48amWeb
Show threadRoland Meyer13h ago
Compared to the actual footage, which in this case, NASA shared on a Flickr account, the AI versions are often more dramatic, cinematic, and optimized for social media clickbait. Perhaps we will become accustomed to these types of images and recognize them for what they are: generic, more or less realistic visualizations of headlines and trending topics, not unlike earlier forms of imagery.
2/3
Show threadRoland Meyer13h ago
No one would, for example, mistake Gericault’s «Raft of the Medusa» for a document of the actual events it was based on. These AI-generated images actually have more in common with history paintings or movie productions than with documentary photography. Unlike paintings or movies, however, they are created instantly, spread immediately, and compete with real news photos for our attention on the same channels and platforms.
3/3
Show threadDragoncello Aufsmaulsuppe12h ago
@bildoperationen Den Verweis auf die Ähnlichkeit gerade zu früher Filmproduktion finde ich sehr treffend. Georges Méliès hat seine Inszenierung der Krönung Eduard VII. ja auch schon vorher fertig gehabt. Das entspannt die Bildproduktion.
Show threadRoland Meyer12h ago
@aufsmaulsuppe Das wusste ich nicht, spannender Hinweis!
Show threadhömma6h ago

@bildoperationen @aufsmaulsuppe

oh ja, großartig, man braucht nicht mal mehr eine:n Fotograf:in hinschicken und bezahlen! 🤡

Show threadAllegro con Fuoco10h ago

@bildoperationen while I understand where you're coming from, that's a missapplied analogy no?

AI news images are at best missimformation because of the expectations. Photos are associated with reality.

If smth is a news event, people expect real pictures. Besides, if smth is a painting or a cartoon it's also immediately recognizable as painting or cartoon. Or if it's a semi-realistic render, it might have a label *artist's impression*

Show threadYHANCI~1.TXT6h ago
@bildoperationen what i fear is that the ubiquity of these synthetic images actually erodes our ability to distinguish them from photographic pictures, and feeds the expectations you describe.
Show threadΩ 🌍 Gus Posey8h ago
@bildoperationen This timeline is for assholes.
Show threadhömma6h ago

@bildoperationen

Whether they *intend* to be misinformation or not is irrelevant. They are widely regarded as authentic pictures (otherwise no fact check would ever be necessary) and therefore are ideal tools for all kinds of manipulation, because humans believe what they’ve seen even more than what they’ve heard or read.

@Aubrieta

Show threadRoland Meyer5h ago
@kommaKucken @Aubrieta Oh yes, of course