Generative AI has transformed image creation. Tools like Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E can produce photorealistic images of fictional people or, when prompted with reference photos, realistic depictions of real individuals in any scenario. Applied to intimate content, this technology has led to an increase in non-consensual intimate imagery that did not require stealing or recording any authentic intimate image. Congress has addressed this directly in laws that include AI-generated and synthetic imagery.

Key facts about this term

  1. AI imagery depicting real people without consent is NCII A photorealistic AI image that depicts an identifiable real person in an intimate or sexual context, even when entirely synthetic, is classified as non-consensual intimate visual depiction.
  2. Only a public photo of your face is required Perpetrators need nothing more than a profile photo to generate realistic AI intimate imagery of a target. No intimate images of the victim need to exist.
  3. Find your face on covered platforms Once you find an AI-generated non-consensual intimate image, you can take action to address the content.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tell if an image of me is AI-generated or a real photo?

High-quality AI images are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real photographs. ScanErase's detection system uses biometric face embedding comparison rather than visual inspection, so the distinction is less important for finding the content.

Are all AI-generated intimate images of real people illegal?

An AI-generated intimate image of a real, identifiable person is covered if it meets the definition of non-consensual intimate visual depiction and was created or shared without consent. Fictional characters and purely synthetic persons are not covered.

Related glossary terms