Deepfake AI generated images are of ‘significant concern’

Delegates vote on a motion at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation annual congress in Derry. Picture: Moya Nolan

Photographs of teachers are being used in deepfake artificial intelligence (AI) generated images which are "of significant concern", a Teachers’ Union of Ireland member has confirmed.

AI was raised for the first time in the union’s history at the TUI’s annual congress, which is taking place at the INEC in Killarney.

Delegates were told that they could expect to hear more about AI at future congress’ as the technology becomes more pervasive.

“As a union, we have fears for our members and indeed for our students - that our students, our teachers, could perhaps be on the receiving end of deep fake messages or uses of their own image,” David Duffy, TUI Education Officer, told the Irish Examiner.

“We have some reports of it [using teachers’ images for deepfake content],” he said.

"The deepfake images are of significant concern."

Separately, Education Minister Norma Foley told the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) on Monday that there has been a “sharp rise” in self-generated sexual images among children aged 7 to 10.

“There is a fear in society around AI,” Mr Duffy said.

“I think much of that fear comes from the pace at which AI is changing. It is very difficult to know where we'll be in six months never mind 12 months’ time.

“It is very worrying. We do need to be putting guidelines, supports and different procedures in place in order to protect everybody.”

Norma Foley addressing delegates at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation annual congress in Derry. Picture: Moya Nolan

He welcomed the Education Minister’s announcement this week that AI guidelines for teachers and educators are now being drawn up.

Another major current concern for the TUI is that AI could compromise the intellectual property rights of teachers to their own class resources, Mr Duffy said.

“If you put some of your resources into an AI generator, who then owns the rights? At the moment that is very unclear,” he said.

“Since October of 2023 we've been asking the relevant bodies […] to put in place the protections that are needed so that we can use AI productively but that we don't end up in a situation where the drawbacks overwhelm the benefits - and there are both.” 

One positive of the technology is its capacity to significantly reduce teacher workload if used correctly, he said.