Taylor Swift Wants to Trademark Her Likeness. These TikTok Deepfake Ads Show Why

Italian prime minister had received wave of criticism from people who believed deepfake pictures of her were real Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has criticised the circulation of AI-generated deepfake images of her, including one depicting her in lingerie, after they were widely shared online. Meloni wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: “In recent days, several fake images of me have been circulating, generated using artificial intelligence and passed off as real by some overzealous opponents. Continue reading...

Manus, an AI company Meta acquired for $2 billion last year is running ads promising quick, easy money with AI: Find local businesses without websites or with bad websites, have AI build them one, then call them up and sell it to them. As part of the campaign, Manus was paying content creators to build out Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok accounts that promote its AI product as an easy, lucrative gig. (The creators' TikTok accounts were taken down after The Verge inquired about them.) Some of these videos would also appear as official ads for Manus, but the posts on the paid creator accounts themselves often obscured their ties to the company … Read the full story at The Verge.

The elite want to protect themselves from AI. What about the rest of us?

Discover how scammers are using AI deepfakes of celebrities like Taylor Swift in TikTok ads, and learn five expert tips for spotting manipulated media. The post TikTok Scam Ads Use AI to Impersonate Celebrities Like Taylor Swift appeared first on Copyleaks.

Scammers are using AI-generated videos of celebrities including Taylor Swift and Rihanna to promote shady services on TikTok, according to authentication company Copyleaks. The ads typically show celebrities in interview settings, such as red carpets, podcasts, or talk shows, and often manipulate real footage with AI, the company said. Many promote rewards programs claiming users can earn money by watching TikTok content and giving feedback. TikTok's official branding appears in some of the ads, though users are redirected to third-party services that ask for personal information. In one ad, a realistic AI avatar of Swift urges users to s … Read the full story at The Verge.

Taylor Swift has been at the center of AI imitation controversies for years, and now, she's become the latest celebrity who's escalating attempts to protect herself from AI copycats. As usual, however, the legal system intersects with technology in complicated ways - and Swift's efforts may be a long shot. In trademark applications filed last week, Swift's team asked for protection for two phrases spoken by the singer: Hey, it's Taylor Swift and Hey, it's Taylor. The trademark applications, filed by TAS Rights Management on behalf of Swift, include audio clips of Swift saying the two phrases as part of a promotion for her latest album. "Hey … Read the full story at The Verge.

Taylor Swift has filed new trademark applications for two voice clips and one image that a trademark attorney says are “specifically designed” to protect the pop superstar from threats posed by AI.

Google also rejects need for reform after Albanese government reveals draft news bargaining incentive scheme Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has urged Google, Meta and TikTok to make deals with Australian media outlets to avoid a dedicated 2.25% levy on local revenues, warning digital giants should not be able to exploit the work of journalists to boost profits. But tech giants Google and Meta have criticised the government’s change. Google rejected the need for the reform and was scathing Labor didn’t include AI platforms, while Meta – which manages Facebook and Instagram – said the government’s position was “simply wrong”. Continue reading...