When new technologies emerge they benefit different groups at different times. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) initially provided an advantage to software developers, who gained access to GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered code assistant, in 2021. By the following year, broader audiences could utilize tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E 2, which allowed users to create text and images instantly. Nowadays, a device with internet can easily connect you to the ‘world brain’, granting immediate access to vast knowledge, creativity, and collaborative opportunities from anywhere in the world. However, such accessible world brain does not always bring the good news to the world.
I choose this topic when it comes to the ‘world brain’ because I just read the follow-on offerings of women marching of fighting against the deepfakes in South korea. Deepfakes, which use AI to create highly realistic but fake videos or images, have been increasingly misused to produce non-consensual sexually explicit content, particularly targeting women. A recent wave of public outrage was sparked after illegal deepfake content was widely shared on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram. These deepfakes often exploit women by fabricating explicit materials without their consent. This has led to protests and calls for stricter laws to combat these violations. I was touched by how they united together and fought for women’s rights in South Korea and today gladly found that, South Korean lawmakers passed a new bill that criminalizes the possession, viewing, or distribution of such explicit deepfake content, imposing severe penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines.
While it’s inspiring to see how people in South Korea have come together to fight against the misuse of technology, the reality is that the ‘world brain’—this vast, interconnected digital network—can often be a double-edged sword for vulnerable groups. On the one hand, it gives marginalized communities a platform to voice their struggles and rally for change, as we’ve seen with the protests against deepfakes. But on the other hand, it can amplify harm just as easily.
The same tools that connect us to knowledge and creativity can also be weaponized. In the case of deepfakes, AI that was originally designed for creative or helpful purposes has been twisted to exploit and harass women, leaving them vulnerable to digital violence. The internet’s vastness and anonymity make it easier for perpetrators to target individuals while hiding behind encrypted platforms or fake identities, making justice even harder to attain. Worse, these attacks aren’t limited to one country—they’re part of a global phenomenon where anyone can become a victim of malicious, tech-enabled actions.
What makes this even more alarming is how quickly harmful content spreads. With the ‘world brain,’ a single deepfake can go viral in minutes, making it nearly impossible to contain or reverse the damage. This leaves the vulnerable—especially women—feeling even more powerless in the face of overwhelming technological forces. It raises an important question: As these technologies evolve, how do we balance innovation with protection? More critically, how do we ensure that the ‘world brain’ becomes a force for good, rather than a tool that worsens the lives of those already at risk?
Recent Comments