JOHANNESBURG - In a disturbing discovery, fake accounts created by AI impersonating adults and children with Down syndrome are growing on social media.
Even more alarming is that the AI-driven profiles are gaining followers and profiting faster than real disability advocates.
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These profiles profit by sharing feel-good content, dancing to popular songs, and expressing gratitude.
Elaine Passmoor from Down Syndrome South Africa dabbed this as misleading and harmful.
She says this is regarded as digital form of exploitation that reduces the real lived experiences of persons with down syndrome to clickbait.
Passmore says to curb the rise of these AI-driven sites more awareness needs to be made and make sure there are policies available to bring those behind these apps to books.