Study Finds 1 in 15 Australian Adults Experienced AI Image Abuse
A new international study led by RMIT University has found that around one in 15 adults has experienced image-based abuse involving artificial intelligence (AI), raising concerns about the misuse of increasingly accessible technology.
The survey, which included more than 7,200 adults across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, found that 7 per cent had experienced at least one form of AI-generated image abuse since turning 18. In Australia, the figure was slightly higher at 7.7 per cent.
The abuse included creating or altering intimate images without consent, sharing AI-generated intimate images without permission, or threatening to distribute such material.
The impact on victims can be significant. Almost 87 per cent of those affected reported at least one negative consequence involving their health, wellbeing, relationships, employment or finances.
Lead researcher Professor Nicola Henry from RMIT University said the findings showed that AI-generated image abuse was affecting people across the wider community, not just celebrities and public figures.
She warned that the actual scale could be higher, as some people may not even know that fake intimate images of them have been created or circulated.
The study found higher reported rates among people under 35, men, people from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disability.
Men reported experiencing this form of abuse at more than twice the rate of women, with figures of 10.2 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively.
However, women reported more severe negative effects, including concerns about personal safety and harm to their mental and physical health.
The researchers said the findings highlighted that anyone could become a victim, although the risks and consequences differed across groups.
Published in the International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, the research builds on earlier studies examining the misuse of AI-generated sexual images.
One previous study found that 3.2 per cent of respondents had created, shared or threatened to share AI-generated sexual images of others without consent. Among those who shared such material, the most commonly reported reason was that it was done for fun or as a joke.
Another study found that almost one in five adults had deliberately viewed AI-generated sexual images of real people, excluding those who viewed them only to report or remove the content.
Professor Henry said technology companies needed to take greater responsibility for preventing such abuse before it happens.
She also highlighted Australia's proposed digital duty of care as an opportunity to require online services to take steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
The researchers stressed that stronger laws alone would not be enough. Public education, accessible support for victims and safer design of AI tools and applications would also be essential.
Co-author Dr Rebecca Umbach, a Staff User Experience Researcher at Google, said understanding how the abuse occurs and who is affected was important for developing effective prevention measures.
The research was conducted with support from Google, which funded the international research programme. The team is continuing its work to identify ways to prevent AI-generated image-based abuse.
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Source : Press Released.
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