Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence-generated fake images, after doctored photos of herself were circulated online. She said the fabricated images, created with AI and disseminated by political opponents, risk deceiving the public and targeting those unable to defend themselves.
Meloni highlighted one image showing her apparently sitting on a bed in underwear, which had previously sparked outrage online. Commentators branded it "shameful" and "unworthy of an Italian prime minister". She joked that the creator had "improved me quite a bit", but stressed the broader threat: "Deepfakes are a dangerous tool, because they can deceive, manipulate, and strike anyone. I can defend myself. Many others cannot."
Meloni urged people to verify online content before accepting or sharing it. "One rule should always apply: verify before believing, and think before sharing," she said. Two years ago, she launched a libel suit against a man from Sardinia accused of making deepfake pornographic images using her face and posting them online.
Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome this week for meetings with Pope Leo and Meloni, amid tensions over President Donald Trump's war in Iran. Trump has lambasted the Pope after Leo criticised US-Israeli policy, while Meloni defended the pontiff. Rubio's visit from Wednesday to Friday aims to "advance bilateral relations with Italy and the Vatican", according to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
