Ask A Genius 1207: A.I. Pimping
Author(s): Rick Rosner and Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/11/22
Rick Rosner: Today, I came across a concept called AI “pimping.” What happens is that pornographers—whether amateur or professional—steal explicit images from across the internet and use AI to generate new faces. They create fake individuals, typically naked women, and use these fabricated identities to make money on platforms like Instagram. The article I sent you focused on Instagram, but it’s likely this also happens on platforms such as OnlyFans.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: The article noted that the original exposé on this practice came out in the spring or summer of this year. That means developers have had plenty of time working on this kind of AI to improve their tools. A few weeks ago, I found an adult video featuring an exceptionally beautiful woman—so much so that she seemed almost too perfect for a low-budget production. It struck me as odd.
Jacobsen: Was this something you stumbled upon accidentally?
Rosner: Not exactly. I’ve admitted before that I occasionally watch pornography. I’m not proud of it, but many people engage with it.
Jacobsen: Statistically, a large percentage of people consume explicit material. Men are more likely to watch pornography, while women are more likely to consume erotica.
Rosner: Back to the video: the woman’s appearance was so striking that I watched several clips featuring her, each about six minutes long. Eventually, I started wondering how this was possible. Then I realized it must have been a filter—a sophisticated AI-generated face placed over the performer’s body. This realization made me feel conflicted. On one hand, the performer might have appreciated the anonymity. On the other hand, it’s disheartening to think that someone could be deemed “not good enough” to use their real face in their work.
What can we conclude from this?
Jacobsen: First, AI technology is advancing rapidly, and unfortunately, it’s being exploited by unethical individuals. Second, shouldn’t they receive compensation or royalties if someone’s likeness or image is being manipulated to create an entirely new identity?
Rosner: In principle, yes. But in practice, this is theft—plain and simple. I assume the performer was paid for their work, but there’s no guarantee. The same AI-generated face appeared in multiple clips alongside the same male performer. This suggests that these weren’t random stolen videos stitched together but rather intentional productions using AI-generated faces. However, as the article I shared pointed out, there are also cases where people’s bodies are stolen by bad actors who superimpose AI-generated faces onto them for profit. It’s a deeply troubling and exploitative practice.
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