By Neera Bhatia
Publication Date: 2026-02-12 19:08:00
It rarely takes long for new media technologies to dedicate themselves to the task of creating pornography. This was true of the printing press, photography and the beginnings of the Internet. This also applies to generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Face swapping technology has been around for more than a decade. “Deepfakes” – fake but convincing images and videos of people – emerged almost immediately.
Generative AI has accelerated the spread of deepfake pornography and made it easier than ever to create explicit images and videos of others.
And it’s not just celebrities who become victims. Fake acts by classmates and teachers are common in schools around the world, sometimes targeting children as young as 11. Image abuse is widespread and victims say the law does not provide adequate protection.
What does the law say about this? And even if it’s not illegal, is it ever ethical to use this technology for your own private fantasies?
