White House spreads AI-manipulated photo of arrested activist
Activists who allegedly organized protests against ICE were arrested in Minnesota. The White House had a photo of one of them manipulated.
(Image: Kristie Noem (li)/Weißes Haus (re) – KI-Kennzeichung von heise Medien)
The White House has spread an AI-manipulated photo of a civil rights activist who was arrested in connection with the clashes in Minneapolis. A comparison of the photo with an image that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had previously distributed makes the difference clear. The original shows Nekima Levy Armstrong with a determined expression as she is led away by an officer. In contrast, the image published by the White House on social media shows the woman with a tearful face and a pleading look into the camera. According to various media reports, analyses with image recognition systems have confirmed that this image was edited using AI tools. A White House spokesperson rejected the criticism, writing, “the memes will go on.”
AI image could be considered prejudgment
It is not new that the US government has little hesitation when it comes to AI image generators since Donald Trump took office. Trump's Truth Social account is full of more or less obviously AI-generated or manipulated images. Most recently, an image attracted attention showing gathered representatives of Europe in the Oval Office in front of a map in which all of North America was covered by a US flag. The image of the activist now spread by the White House goes further because it shows a civilian and could potentially be relevant in court. The Intercept quotes a renowned lawyer who believes that the woman appears guilty in the photo and that the image could therefore be considered prejudgment.
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Armstrong was arrested on Thursday for her alleged role in a protest at a church in St. Paul near Minneapolis. In it, demonstrators allegedly interrupted a church service and chanted slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” They were referring to a 37-year-old woman who was shot and killed in early January during an operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) units. The protest in the church was directed against a pastor who is said to hold a leadership position at ICE on site. According to authorities, another activist, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, was arrested along with Armstrong. The arrests were sharply criticized by politicians in Minnesota.
(mho)
