Data protection authorities from across the globe have today published a Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery (the “Statement”).
The Statement represents the united position of 61 data protection authorities and has been issued in response to serious concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent, often referred to as “deepfakes”. The signatories are especially concerned about potential harms to children.
The Statement outlines key expectations and fundamental principles for all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems including:
- Implement robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of personal information and generation of non-consensual intimate imagery and other harmful materials, particularly where children are depicted.
- Ensure meaningful transparency about AI system capabilities, safeguards, acceptable uses and the consequences of misuse.
- Provide effective and accessible mechanisms for individuals to request the removal of harmful content involving personal information and respond rapidly to such requests.
- Address specific risks to children through implementing enhanced safeguards and providing clear, age-appropriate information to children, parents, guardians and educators.
The co-signatories commit to sharing information on their approaches to addressing these concerns including in the areas of enforcement, policy and education.
The Joint Statement has been coordinated by the Global Privacy Assembly's (GPA) International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG), to which Guernsey’s Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) is the secretariat and a co-chair.
“The abuse of AI-Imagery represents a global concern and this Joint Statement underscores the commitment of data-protection authorities to work together to address it” said Commissioner Brent Homan. “We are privileged to have had the opportunity to coordinate this important initiative alongside international partners”.
The ODPA has also joined forces with its data protection counterparts in Jersey and the Isle of Man to issue a Crown Dependencies Data Protection Advisory on Generative AI Image creation. The Advisory outlines actions that individuals can take to better protect themselves and others from the misuse of AI-generated imagery.