PETALING JAYA: From selling bedsheets and woks to promoting financial schemes, Malaysian celebrities have expressed concern about the rise of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) that misuses their image.
The celebrities urge the public to be extra mindful of content they see online and always cross-check the information to avoid falling for scams.
Popular singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin became one of the affected celebrities when her voice was exploited by scammers using AI to replicate her appearance and speech.
She urged social media users, particularly the elderly, to be wary of such scams.
“The use of other people’s images by AI to deceive the public is widespread, and I am among those whose image and voice have been exploited.
“In my opinion, social media users need to be more aware because most of the targets are the elderly, who the scammers find are easily deceived.
“Some use my voice and videos for contests, while others contact social media users and pretend to be me speaking to them,” she said when contacted.
Siti Nurhaliza has asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to work with the public to address the issue and stop further harm.
In July, the singer was reported saying a video call featuring herself, which turned out to be AI-generated, made its rounds on social media.
Her likeness has also been used to promote products, such as bedsheets, on social media.
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She took to social media to warn her fans not to fall victim to such fraudulent schemes.
Popular online cooking personality Khairul Aming was also not spared the danger of AI-generated content.
Recently, an almost one-minute-long video used Khairul Aming’s voice and likeness to persuade fans to purchase woks from him to help fund repairs for his warehouse.
The online influencer highlighted the incident via his official TikTok page, warning his followers that his image had been manipulated to create such content.
“I just want to remind you guys to be careful, as slanderous content has now become widespread and AI tools have been misused in so many ways.
“You may see postings featuring someone’s likeness, but it is not actually them. So please be aware,” he said in a TikTok video.
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Khairul Aming also urged the public to keep themselves safe by verifying the information they consume online before making any purchases.
In June, former shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei expressed his shock upon seeing a video showing an altered footage of himself promoting a “financial scheme”.
“It’s crazy what the scammers are doing these days.
“I’m shocked to see this fake video of me promoting a certain financial programme,” Lee said in a Facebook post.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil urged social media platforms to put an AI label or notification on all AI-generated content to prevent untoward incidents.
He said social media companies should be held responsible for the incidents happening on their platforms, adding that such issues justified the need for a social media platform licensing.
