AI-generated images in a true crime documentary? This should probably happen rarely – or not at all. (Image: Wikipedia – Futurism)
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AI content is easy to create. So easy that even Netflix apparently doesn't forego using this practical technology.
The problem: The streaming service apparently also used AI-generated content in the new true crime documentary “What Jennifer Did.” And documentation should normally reflect reality.
Netflix documentary distorted?
What's the matter? The documentary in question is about Jennifer Pan, who was convicted of a contract murder of her parents.
In the first half hour, Pan's “bubbly, happy, confident and very sincere” high school girlfriend Nam Nguyen is shown more frequently.
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But the images show characteristics of manipulation and AI-generated content. This becomes particularly clear in one picture Futurism reported.
There are a few features that clearly identify the image as AI-generated. (Image: Futurism)
As is often the case with AI images, the hands are particularly noticeable and do not look like they are real at second glance.
The same applies to some details in the background, where one can assume certain objects but cannot quite determine them. These include, among other things, the door frame and something that roughly resembles a picture frame.
Another image with the same red dress also shows evidence of AI generation:
The picture shows some anomalies. Even if they are not that noticeable. (Image: Petapixel)
In this picture, the elongated incisor, the unusual dent in the cheek and the incorrectly depicted ears are crucial.
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Of course, we can't know what exactly went on behind the scenes. It could well be that those responsible took a real picture of Pan in order to generate images that look similar to the original Petapixels suspected.
Nevertheless: the forgery seems obvious.
Why is this a problem? Using fake photos in a true crime documentary could distort the public image of the people involved and the criminal case.
»The use of [KI-]“Technology to generate images of a real person, especially someone who is still in prison and not eligible for parole until around 2040, should raise some alarm bells.”
– Writes Futurism
Netflix has not yet responded to media inquiries or otherwise commented.