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Why AI images are not harmless

Whether in social media, advertisements, at work or in private chats: AI-generated images are increasingly shaping our visual environment. In this episode of Schampar Digital, Frank Richter and Jessica Reust talk to image and media scientist Roland Meyer about the political, social and ethical tensions surrounding AI images.

Roland Meyer explains how image generators such as Midjourney or Gemini work with training data from the past and not only reproduce existing stereotypes and nostalgic world views, but also deliberately reinforce them. Right-wing actors such as Donald Trump or Elon Musk deliberately use this for propaganda purposes. The AfD also uses similar visual strategies in Germany. In addition to the political level, there are also ecological consequences. The high energy and resource consumption of many AI models makes it clear that these images are not just about aesthetics, but also about responsibility and sustainability. The question arises as to how we as users deal with this technology. Roland Meyer pleads for more image literacy and for simply doing without an image more often.

Roland Meyer is DIZH Bridge Professor for Digital Cultures and Arts at the University of Zurich and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). He researches the history and theory of digital visual worlds.

Further links to Roland Meyer’s research

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Our hosts are Frank Richter and Jessica Reust.