AI-Generated Yearbook Photo Trend: A digital revolution with real-world implications

Princess Concrenio

October 13, 2023

Graphic by: Andrea Apit/Overturn

Where pixels meet memories, and the digital revolution reshapes the very essence of personal identity.

The prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) managed to give birth to the advent of the Al-generated yearbook photo trend that relies on sophisticated algorithms and machine learning models that enable the system to analyze facial features, skin texture, and lighting conditions to generate hyper-realistic digital portraits of users retouched to perfection.

The trend began to gain attraction in the current Philippines, with a few Filipino celebrities, such as Megan Young and Dingdong Dantes, having successfully navigated this trend by sharing their pictures on their social media accounts has garnered both excitement and concern for its potential to redefine how we capture memories and personal identities.

AI has experienced rapid growth and is leaving an indelible mark on various industries. Its applications continue to expand, offering opportunities for increased efficiency, innovation, and improved decision-making, while also prompting discussions about its ethical and societal implications.

The data privacy landscape

“While the AI yearbook trend itself may seem harmless, it is essential for individuals using the application to be cautious about the privacy implications it may pose,” said Roren Marie M. Chin, chief of the National Privacy Commission’s (NPC) Public Information and Assistance Division.

The NPC warned about potential privacy risks as the trend of AI-generated yearbook photos gained momentum, in which on October 4, the agency released a statement outlining the dangers connected to the gathering and handling of facial data for AI-generated photos, as personal data misuse and unauthorized data breaches have become urgent issues today.

The NPC added that it will “continue to observe and assess this trend to ensure that personal data is being handled in compliance with Data Privacy Act”.

Former Philippine President Aquino III is the one who signed Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 on August 15, 2012, which aims to provide a legal framework for the protection of personal data. The NPC's primary mission on the other hand is to safeguard personal data and privacy rights in the face of an ever-expanding digital landscape.

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities

In terms of cybersecurity, the adaptability of AI-generated images introduces additional risks. The threats of fraud and identity theft were discussed by cybersecurity experts in late 2022.

According to a survey, 4.5% of adult Filipinos (equivalent to 5 million) know they've been a victim of identity theft. TransUnion's recent 2023 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report has revealed that around 8.7% of digital transactions carried out in the Philippines in 2022 were flagged as potentially fraudulent.

The ease with which malicious individuals might create phony identities using images poses a significant concern.

QTCinderella, a well-liked Twitch streamer known for her wholesome gaming and baking content, was one of the victims in the case that took a distressing turn on January 30 when another streamer unintentionally displayed a website that generates explicit AI-generated content, including deep fake porn featuring QTCinderella.

She suffered serious repercussions from this occurrence since it associated her name, image, and personal brand with pornography. This emphasizes the unsettling possibility that AI technology will be abused in ways that hurt people and damage their online reputations, underlining the significance of cybersecurity and moral AI use.

Navigating ethical challenges

Beyond privacy issues, the trend also raises ethical dilemmas. The idealized representations created by AI can perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and distort the authenticity of yearbook memories. This has sparked debates about the impact of such images on students' self-esteem and body image.

The debate surrounding AI-generated yearbook photos underscores the fine balance between technological innovation and individual privacy. The NPC and cybersecurity experts advocate for the implementation of clear guidelines and regulations to safeguard individuals' privacy rights while embracing the potential of AI.

Striking a balance in the digital age

The emergence of the aforementioned topic in the Philippines is an evident trail of the digital revolution that society is embracing. Technology may have the power to improve lives without jeopardizing fundamental rights and ideals with clear limits, ethical usage, and education.

Humans’ ability to adapt and thrive in the digital era naturally, serves as a constant reminder of how crucial it is to strike a balance within the current societal landscape that heavily relies on technology.

With the trend of AI-generated yearbooks, clear standards, responsible usage, and providing continual education are among the suggestions of professionals in order to prevent turning a fun trend into a destructive machinery that will be able to inflict danger to its users.—OVERTURN