Italy PM Giorgia Meloni Condemns AI Deepfake Images, Warns of Rising Threat of Digital Manipulation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly criticised the circulation of AI-generated deepfake images depicting her in fabricated and misleading scenarios, including one manipulated image that falsely showed her wearing lingerie.

The digitally altered visuals, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparked widespread debate over the growing misuse of artificial intelligence and the dangers of online misinformation.

In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Meloni denounced the fake images, saying they had been created using artificial intelligence and deliberately presented as authentic by what she described as politically motivated individuals eager to target her personally.

“Over the past few days, several fake images of me have been circulating, created with artificial intelligence and passed off as real,” Meloni wrote in her statement.

While she sarcastically remarked that whoever produced the images had “improved” her appearance, she stressed that the issue was far more serious than personal embarrassment or political mockery.

The Italian leader warned that the incident reflected a disturbing trend in which advanced AI tools are increasingly being used to manipulate reality, spread falsehoods, and damage reputations.

She described the circulation of the fabricated images as a form of cyberbullying and digital harassment.

One of the most widely shared deepfakes appeared to show Meloni seated on a bed in lingerie. The manipulated image quickly went viral online, with some users mistakenly believing it to be genuine.

Several reactions on social media criticised the supposed image, with one user calling it “shameful” and inappropriate for someone serving as prime minister.

Responding to the controversy, Meloni urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before accepting or sharing content online.

She emphasised that while public figures like herself may have the means to defend themselves legally and politically, ordinary individuals are often far more vulnerable to the damaging effects of deepfakes.

“The issue goes beyond me,” she said. “Deepfakes are a dangerous tool because they can deceive, manipulate, and target anyone. I can defend myself. Many others cannot.”

The incident has once again highlighted global concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly in the creation of deceptive images and videos that can spread rapidly through social media ecosystems.

Addressing these risks has become a major policy priority for Meloni’s government. In September last year, Italy became the first member state of the European Union to approve comprehensive legislation regulating artificial intelligence.

The new law introduced strict penalties, including prison sentences, for individuals who use AI technologies to cause harm through activities such as deepfake creation and digital manipulation.

The legislation also imposed safeguards restricting children’s access to certain AI-based technologies.

Italian authorities said the law was designed to align with the broader EU AI Act while establishing clearer national rules for the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence technologies across the country.

The crackdown followed public outrage over a controversial pornographic website that published manipulated images of several high-profile Italian women, including Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein.

The doctored images, reportedly created using publicly available photos from social media and official appearances, were altered with explicit and sexist captions.

Many of the fabricated visuals portrayed female politicians from different political parties in degrading and highly sexualised ways, triggering widespread condemnation across Italy’s political spectrum.

Following the backlash, Italian police ordered the website to shut down.

At the same time, prosecutors in Rome launched investigations into possible offences, including defamation, extortion, and revenge por,n linked to the publication of the manipulated content.