The KI images were supposed to illustrate protests in Colombia, and were published on social media last week. But after a few days all the pictures were removed. Secretary General John Peder Egenæs of Amnesty International in Norway says the images were removed following reactions from the public. – The images have been removed because we realized that they were suitable for creating serious misunderstandings by being perceived as real images. We apologize for that. We have taken these down, and it has been an important learning for us, says Egenæs to news. SORRY: General Secretary John Peder Egenæs of Amnesty International in Norway says it was wrong to use AI images in the case. Photo: Bjørn Olav Nordahl / news He says they have many real photos from Colombia they could have used, but that they were encouraged not to use them. – The background for the AI images was that Colombian activists and organizations did not want us to use real images. They have experience of the police using this to track down and harass activists. – Then a decision was made that we could use AI-generated images. The idea was that you should see that they were not real pictures, it should have an artistic touch and be labeled. We have to realize that it didn’t work and that the marking was too small. The Image Manipulation campaign was intended to shine a spotlight on the abuses that occurred during the general strike in Columbia two years ago. Because even if the images are fake, the events described by Amnesty are real. On April 28, 2021, tens of thousands of Colombians protested against tax increases, corruption and police brutality in a number of Colombian cities and towns. Dozens of people died and hundreds were injured and arrested during the protests, which lasted for months. CAMPAIGN: This was posted on the Twitter account of Amnesty Norway. In the artificial image, the colors of the Colombian flag have been switched. Facsimile: Amnesty There are a number of images of real people actually protesting. But Amnesty initially chose AI-generated images – according to themselves – to protect the protesters. Amnesty International describes Colombia as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for environmental and human rights defenders. The images were marked with the text “Illustration produced by artificial intelligence”. The colors of the flag were also changed to make it look like it wasn’t real. But Amnesty was nevertheless criticized for compromising its own credibility. Criticism The artificial images undermine the credibility of real news images, says Christina Dorthellinger Nygaard, visual editor at NTB. – Manipulated images weakened credibility, regardless of whether it is Amnesty or others who use them. Regardless of the purpose and regardless of whether it is well marked or not. There are other possibilities to present this, she says to news. – Which ones then? WARNINGS AGAINST THE USE OF AI: Christina Dorthellinger Nygaard, visual editor at NTB. Photo: Thomas Brun / NTB – You can use real photos, but slander it. If necessary, slide the entire image. You can choose not to have pictures, and write that it is so dangerous for those concerned that it cannot be used. It will be very strong. The NTB editor is afraid that not all readers see what is real and what is not. She believes that everyone should be aware of their responsibility. – Artificially edited images will never be able to show the truth. It is dangerous for truth-seeking journalism, and credibility falls in the long run, she says. Sam Gregory of the human rights group Witness says the AI images Amnesty used did more harm than good. – In the last five years, we have spoken to hundreds of activists and journalists who receive accusations that their video and photos are fake, says Gregory to the website Gizmodo. He says that authoritarian regimes are quick to claim that images showing human rights violations are fake. ARTIFICIAL: Amnesty wanted the images to have an artistic feel, but realizes that it didn’t work the way they wanted. Facsimile: Amnesty Will not rule out AI use in the future Egenæs says the campaign was created by the regional office in South America, and used all over the world, including Norway, which posted the images on its account. – It is important to state that the purpose was to protect people who could be exposed. But we could choose drawings or other things, says the general secretary. – Do you imagine that Amnesty will use AI images again? – It would be strange to say that you would never use it. But we have to be much, much more aware of how we use it than we have been here, replies Egenæs.
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Amnesty withdraws KI images and apologizes – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
