Amnesty International recently found itself at the center of controversy after releasing a series of AI-generated images in a campaign about police violence in Colombia. The organization, known for its tireless advocacy for human rights, quickly acknowledged its mistake and announced a halt to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) images in its communications. This incident has sparked an important conversation about the role of AI in activism and the delicate balance between technology and ethics.
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The Controversy Unfolds
The controversy erupted on April 29, when Amnesty Norway published a series of tweets about the 2021 police crackdown on protests in Colombia. The tweets were intended to raise awareness about the violence that took place during those demonstrations, but accompanying the messages were images that appeared to be computer-generated. A quick glance revealed faces that were distorted, with unreadable text and a small caption stating, “illustrations produced by artificial intelligence.”
While the images carried a disclaimer, it wasn’t enough to quell the backlash. Social media users, including human rights advocates and journalists, were quick to criticize the decision to use AI-generated images rather than real photos from the protests. One vocal critic, artist Jon Lam, pointed out how “completely insensitive and disrespectful” the images were, especially considering the many real-life photographers who risked their lives to capture these events.
Acknowledging the Mistake
Katia Roux, who works on technology advocacy for Amnesty France, spoke candidly about the situation. “For us, it’s clear that this was a mistake, and we have to own it,” Roux told Tech&Co. She explained that the decision to use AI-generated images came from discussions among Amnesty’s teams in Latin America, in consultation with local Colombian partners such as NGOs and activist groups. The goal was to protect the identities of people who might have been in the photos, but as Roux now admits, “This solution should never have been chosen.”
Roux suggested that there were other ways to address privacy concerns, such as using real photographs with faces blurred out. “We could have used authentic images and taken steps to anonymize them,” she said, acknowledging that real images hold significant weight in conveying the truth of the moment.
The Voice of Photojournalists
The controversy also raised important concerns among photojournalists, particularly those who put themselves in harm’s way to document human rights violations. Juancho Torres, a photojournalist based in Bogotá, shared his personal experience of covering the protests, even as he witnessed a colleague lose an eye during the demonstrations. “Amnesty International recognizes the critical role of photojournalists, who sometimes risk everything to document the reality of what’s happening,” Roux assured.
For these journalists, the use of AI images seemed not just wrong, but insulting. It undermined the very people who have been at the frontlines of exposing human rights abuses.
A Temporary Ban on AI-Generated Images
In response to the backlash, Amnesty International made the decision to ban the use of AI-generated images in all its communications “until further notice.” The organization is now engaging in a broader reflection on its use of AI systems, particularly those involving facial recognition and biometric technology. Roux emphasized that Amnesty’s stance on such issues should be reflected in all of its work. “When we advocate on these topics, we must be coherent, exemplary, and extremely vigilant.”
Interestingly, while some organizations, such as the WWF in the UK, have begun experimenting with generative AI for creative campaigns (such as imagining future landscapes impacted by climate change), Amnesty’s cautionary approach reflects a deeper commitment to maintaining trust and integrity in its communications.
A Larger Conversation About AI in Activism
This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities that arise when organizations embrace emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. While AI can offer powerful tools for creating impactful visuals, it also raises questions about authenticity, ethics, and the importance of protecting the integrity of real-world documentation. For a human rights organization like Amnesty International, the authenticity of its message must always come first.
The lesson here? As AI continues to evolve, even the most well-intentioned organizations must be mindful of how they use it in advocacy. The aim should always be to respect the human stories behind the images and to ensure that technology serves, rather than detracts from, the cause of justice.
As for Amnesty, the group has pledged to carefully reconsider its relationship with AI, with the goal of finding ways to use the technology in ways that are respectful of the realities they seek to highlight. Until then, real photos—and the brave photographers behind them—remain irreplaceable in the fight for human rights.
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