Jenna Ortega, the acclaimed star of Netflix’s hit series “Wednesday,” has spoken out about a disturbing experience involving artificial intelligence that has haunted her since her teenage years. The 21-year-old actress revealed that she came across morphed pornographic images of herself created using AI, an incident that profoundly impacted her view of new technology and led to her deleting her X (formerly Twitter) account.
During an interview on “The Interview” podcast for The New York Times, Ortega expressed her anger and dismay at the misuse of AI technology. She described the incident as a “terrifying” time in her life, one that made her deeply distrustful of technological advancements.
“I hate A.I.,” Ortega declared emphatically. “Did I like being 14 and making a Twitter account because I was supposed to and seeing dirty edited content of me as a child? No. It’s terrifying. It’s corrupt. It’s wrong.” The young star’s candid comments highlight the darker side of artificial intelligence, where deepfake technology and unauthorized image manipulation can have a devastating impact on individuals, especially those in the public eye.
Ortega’s experience is not unique among celebrities, as many have fallen victim to similar AI-generated content. However, her willingness to publicly address the issue brings much-needed attention to the ethical concerns surrounding AI and the potential for misuse.
Her decision to delete her X account underscores her commitment to distancing herself from platforms where such violations of privacy are prevalent. This move also serves as a strong statement against the companies and technologies that fail to safeguard individuals from such exploitation.
In an age where digital privacy is increasingly at risk, Ortega’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical standards in the development and use of AI. Her voice adds to the growing chorus of public figures calling for more regulation and oversight in the tech industry, urging society to take a closer look at the real-world impacts of AI on people’s lives.