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In early June,Focus on Rapha” spread by word of mouth, 47 million They then reposted it on social media. Shortly thereafter, similarly styled “All Eyes on Congo” and “All Eyes on Sudan” AI images also went viral. The rise of AI and the use of social media as a platform for activism raises the question: can AI imagery help raise awareness for a cause? The answer is a resounding “no.”
Slacktivism Slacktivism is a word I love to associate with modern-day activists. It is a combination of “lazy” and “activism” and refers to taking minimal effort to serve a cause, often shared via social media, in the name of making a difference. The first notable example of slacktivism in recent memory came amid the COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter protests across the United States. Blackout TuesdayIn the wake of the murder of George Floyd, social media “protests” began against racism and police brutality. On June 2, 2020, Instagram was flooded with posts from me, and nearly everyone I know, with black squares in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. However, this “solidarity” was the extent of most people's activism.
I have never seen the same people demanding action from government authorities. Even if they did not have the means to march, given the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, many people's confrontations stopped after posting Blackout Tuesday in the square. Their activism was over. They had done a good deed and shown their followers that they thought racism and police violence were bad. Well done!
I felt the word “slacktivism” applied to the hundreds of people posting AI images that have flooded social media over the past month. As more and more people posted these images, I became more and more annoyed. What difference does reposting an AI image make?
Instead of posting one of the many photos that show the reality in Palestine, a social media user chose to post this AI image. This is disrespectful to the Palestinian journalists and activists who have dedicated their time, effort, and mental and physical labor to bring public awareness of what is happening in Palestine since October 7th. This is not a work created by a Palestinian artist, nor is it explicitly intended to send a message or spread awareness. It is a computer-generated image. Given what is happening in Palestine, sharing such an image seems incredibly disingenuous and insensitive.
“Pay attention to Rafa” In response to AI image, the official Israeli government account posted X Posted your own AI image Reading “Where Were Your Eyes on October 7th?” is not only a bizarre act of retribution by the Israeli government, but also another example of how AI and its slacktivists trivialize the death of an individual, using its resources to promote Israeli activism, journalism, and human art, rather than actually spreading a message about Israelis. Those Who DiedThe Israeli government shared AI-generated imagery. Looking at the AI imagery, we can see that it is not real, but a way to retaliate against those spreading “Attention Rafa.” Government agencies should at the very least expand their operations to use real-world resources rather than showcasing the horrific use of AI.
The spread of AI activism to government levels around the world is a cause for concern, especially in a world where it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction online. The use of AI imagery in activism has the potential to spread misinformation as the images do not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. AI imagery can also dilute causes and mislead the public, both of which are significant risks that must be taken seriously.
Slacktivism seems to be at its peak again on social media since the Blackout Tuesday surge. People are concerned about appearances, sharing infographics with inaccurate or falsified information, ignoring the roots of the issues they claim to care about. People tend to repost popular content shared by their peers. Some may argue that although the AI images are less authentic, they still raise people's awareness of the atrocities taking place in Palestine. However, posting a photo with four words written on it is not the same as taking meaningful action.
People need to understand that journalists, writers, poets, artists and above all human beings live in these areas. They cannot and should not be reduced to mere AI images. We as young people and future leaders need to be more intentional, even if the Israeli government or the 47 million people who reposted the “Watch on Rafah” photo won't do so.
Alana Parker is a junior in the School of Public Policy and Communications and serves as the assistant opinion editor for The Eagle.
This article was edited by Rebeca Samano Arellano and Abigail Turner and proofread by Luna Jinks.
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