In a digital age, a single photograph can set off a national conversation. Two women have recently shared hands in the picture — one with a prominent “baby bump” — It has gone viral with the caption alleging a breakthrough in same-sex pregnancy in Bengaluru. The image collected thousands of likes, shares etc. but as such it also became a classic in one of AI's major techniques used to blur reality and fiction.
The Medical Reality vs. Digital Fiction
The primary reason for the skepticism over the photo is related to biological science. Medical experts are quick to throw in their views. In today's fashion, science says that according to the laws of nature and today's medical science--a biological pregnancy requires both male and female reproductive components. Even some medical experts have stated that the image may provide more evidence of fake pregnancy than true pregnancy.
Although many reproductive technologies including IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) or surrogacy are available to the LGBTQ+ community, the specific scenario implied by the viral post — natural conception in a same-sex female union — is medically impossible. “Traditional biological rules still act as the bedrock for human reproduction,” said a city-based gynecologist.
“Viral trends are oversimplified, misleading the general public the complex medical truths.”. The Fingerprints of AI. After reviewing the image, tech experts and cyber-forensic analysts highlighted many of the "hallmarks" of AI generation. With tools such as Midjourney, DALL-E, and advanced Photoshop filters, it’s now possible to develop hyper-realistic human features, but those tools can have trouble with minute details like hand placement, background consistency, or skin texture.
A lot of netizens said that the lighting, and the shadows of the viral photo seems “too perfect” or “uncanny,” both features of images created by Deep Learning models. Most in the tech community agrees that this is an artificial intelligence image designed simply to garner engagement or stimulate social debate. So we can see from these facts how dangerous it actually is to misuse and use “deepfakes”. (And by its side, the event itself has stirred up a serious debate about the ethics of AI.)
Cybersecurity researchers are cautioning the public, particularly young women, not to take personal photo with random AI “transformation” applications. “Your data and your likeness are valuable,” cautioned an analyst in cybersecurity. These viral “challenges” or apps are made to harvest facial data that can then be used to turn into deepfakes or misleading content without your consent.
They say that those misleading images serve their purpose of not just confusing but also disempowering communities. Images like these that create false narratives about same-sex relationships can even cause social hostility, misinformation and needless legal arguments in a country where queer rights are a contentious and changing topic. As AI advances, the weight lies on the individual’s shoulders in doing digital literacy.
Experts recommend a simple rule
Do the double-checking for your story. If a piece of news seems to violate the laws of science or to be too sensational to be truthful, it likely is. The Bengaluru "pregnant couple" picture is one good reminder that in 2023, seeing is no longer believing. Now, in the midst of further legal and social transformation in India about sexual partner relations, safeguarding the information integrity is vital.
