Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned about the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes after false images of her circulated online, saying such content can mislead the public and harm those unable to defend themselves.
In a statement on Tuesday, Meloni said several fabricated photos of her had been created using artificial intelligence and shared as real by political opponents. She posted one such image that appeared to show her sitting on a bed in underwear, which was accompanied by an outraged caption calling it inappropriate for a sitting prime minister.
“I must admit that whoever created them, at least in the attached case, has also improved me quite a bit,” Meloni said, highlighting how easily manipulated content is being used for political attacks and misinformation.
She added that the issue extends beyond her personal case, warning that deepfakes are a “dangerous tool” capable of deceiving, manipulating, and targeting anyone. “I can defend myself. Many others cannot,” she said.
Meloni urged users to verify online content before sharing it, stressing the importance of critical evaluation in the digital age: “One rule should always apply: verify before believing, and think before sharing.”
The Italian leader also referenced an ongoing libel case she filed two years ago against a man accused of creating and distributing deepfake pornographic images using her likeness.