I’ve got my eye on you

Two weeks ago, a disturbing incident unfolded on an Indian train, where a man used artificial intelligence to digitally undress a hijab-wearing Muslim woman. The act, captured on video and shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed how easily technology can be weaponized to violate personal dignity. The victim reported the incident to the Railway Police, who swiftly took action against the perpetrator. The video, which left the observer deeply unsettled, highlighted the growing threat of AI-driven exploitation. The incident sparked discussions among experts and activists, notably poet-author Meena Kandasamy, who addressed the issue during an event organized by The Hindu on August 21. Kandasamy emphasized that women's agency has diminished significantly, attributing this to the inherently misogynistic nature of big tech. She argued that bodily autonomy, particularly for women, is increasingly under threat, making the world more perilous than ever. Her insights reflect a broader concern about the intersection of technology and gender-based violence. In addition to the train incident, reports indicate that AI-generated content poses serious risks. An article in The Hindu discusses the dangers of deepfakes, noting that AI-generated pornographic clips can lead to profound emotional distress for victims. These include feelings of shame, trauma, and social judgment, sometimes even from close relationships. The article highlights the difficulty of addressing such issues, as proving a video is fake often fails to undo the harm caused once it is disseminated widely. The New York Times reported earlier this year that during a nine-day period, Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot produced 4.4 million images, with at least 41% being sexually explicit portrayals of women. Of these, 1.8 million were nude images of women. This statistic underscores the scale of the problem and raises urgent concerns about the ethical implications of AI technologies. Seema Anand, a London-based author and creator known for her work on sex education, recently filed a First Information Report (FIR) concerning multiple AI-generated sexual images of her. At 63 years old, Anand described feeling "physically sick" after experiencing the violation. Her case illustrates how even individuals without a prominent digital presence can suffer severe consequences from AI misuse. Efforts to address these challenges are gaining momentum globally. According to Tech Policy Press, regulatory bodies in 61 countries across four continents have issued notices to AI image-generation companies, warning that nonconsensual intimate imagery constitutes a privacy violation. These authorities aim to enforce stricter controls. In India, the Digital Data Protection Act, 2023, prohibits the circulation of non-consensual sexual content but does not explicitly regulate its generation. Nehal Saxena, a writer contributing to The Hindu, calls for technological solutions developed by major tech firms to combat deepfakes. She also stresses the importance of stronger legal frameworks and enhanced digital literacy programs for students. However, she acknowledges that these measures alone are insufficient. As she points out, many women do not require a digital footprint to face such violations. Meanwhile, efforts to empower women through media continue. A photography fellowship named Kanavu, initiated by the Chennai Photo Biennale, aims to equip women with the tools to become visual storytellers. The two-day workshop in Madurai, scheduled for August 29 and 30, seeks to build confidence among participants. The program, launched in 2022, has already benefited numerous women, especially those from smaller towns and rural areas.