ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has raised alarm over the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in politics after a series of deepfake images targeting her began circulating widely on social media.
The controversy erupted when a fabricated image—placing her in a compromising, non-institutional setting—went viral, with users sharing it as if it were real and questioning her conduct. Meloni responded firmly, clarifying that the visuals were AI-generated and deliberately pushed by what she described as overzealous political opponents.
While she said she has the platform and resources to counter such attacks, Meloni warned that ordinary citizens are far more vulnerable. Unlike public figures, they may not have the means to prove that such manipulated content is false once it spreads.
She described deepfakes as a dangerous tool that can distort reality, damage reputations, and manufacture controversies out of thin air. According to her, the technology is increasingly being used to blur the line between truth and fabrication, making it easier to mislead the public.
Calling for greater caution, Meloni urged people to adopt a simple rule in the digital age: verify before believing—and think twice before sharing. She cautioned that while she may be the current target, the same technology could be used against anyone.
The episode has once again sparked debate across Europe about regulating AI-generated content and holding platforms accountable for identifying and flagging manipulated media before it causes wider harm.
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