AI models could harm young people's body image, warn experts

Key Points:

• AI-generated models are increasingly prevalent on social media and advertising, raising concerns about promoting unrealistic beauty standards that may negatively impact young people's body image, especially those vulnerable to eating disorders.
• Mia Perumal, a recovered eating disorder patient, fears AI models exacerbate harmful comparisons, as these digital images often depict unattainable thinness and perfection, making it difficult for young people to escape damaging beauty ideals.
• Experts warn that AI-generated images tend to default to narrow, traditional beauty standards, potentially excluding diverse representations unless deliberately programmed otherwise, which could reinforce societal biases and unrealistic expectations.
• Parents and psychologists emphasize the importance of AI literacy and transparency, advocating for clear labeling of AI-generated content to help viewers distinguish real from fake and mitigate adverse effects on self-esteem.
• While AI models could offer benefits such as increased diversity in advertising and opportunities for smaller brands, there are concerns about the impact on creative industries and the emotional detachment consumers may feel once they learn images are AI-generated.