Minister uses AI pictures to highlight risk of identity theft

A fraudulent photo of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe playing rugby, produced by AI. 

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has highlighted the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) — by posting a number of fraudulent photos on his social media account.

The pictures, provided to Mr Donohoe by Irish software company ID-Pal, show the minister seemingly scuba-diving, canoeing, taking part in a rugby game, and skydiving.

Mr Donohoe is speaking at the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit, which is being held in Dublin's RDS today.

"I usually get a lot done in a day but this is ridiculous!" he wrote.

A fraudulent photo of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe canoeing, produced by AI.  

"Attended the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit this morning where @TweetIDPal are demonstrating the dangers of identity fraud, which is a very serious issue, as these FRAUDULENT images show."

1/2 I usually get a lot done in a day but this is ridiculous! Attended the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit this morning where @TweetIDPal are demonstrating the dangers of identity fraud, which is a very serious issue, as these FRAUDULENT images show. pic.twitter.com/FMVWln9Skw

— Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald) May 16, 2024

This year, the focus of the one-day summit is the "evolving threat of financial crime" as well as highlighting preparations that Irish banks need to make ahead of the implementation of a new EU act.

One of the four main sessions at the summit, where Mr Donohoe was speaking, was 'Understanding the Role of AI & Machine Learning in Detecting FinCrime; the Impact on Data Privacy'.

A fraudulent photo of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe skydiving, produced by AI. 

More than €25m was stolen from victims of investment fraud in Ireland in 2023 — a 90% increase from 2022's figures.

In total, €25,360,000 was reported stolen up to the end of the year.

Mr Donohoe added that it is "so important to continue to highlight these vital issues that have real potential to damage people's lives".

"The #EAFCS brings stakeholders together to focus on how best to minimise harm in this area."