Concerns raised by experts on AI-powered online abuse, deep nudes phenomena

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a series of proposals focusing on culture, women’s health and the digital sphere during a discussion organised by the PL in conjunction with Nisa Laburisti in Floriana.

Among the cultural measures announced, he said, was the introduction of a cash rebate scheme for local artists, allowing them to claim back 10 per cent of their expenses up to a maximum of €50,000. Dr Abela also spoke about mentorship and consultancy in financial literacy for artists running a business.

He said that during the next legislature, artists would be offered training on business-related matters, including guidance on financial administration, marketing, pricing and legal concepts necessary for their work. Start-ups in the creative and artistic sectors would also benefit from a dedicated incentives package.

In addition, a digital lab would be created to provide space for digital creators and start-ups to become more innovative and develop their ideas in a holistic manner.

On women’s health, Dr Abela announced that a new Labour Government would launch the country’s first women’s health strategy and establish the first women’s health clinic dedicated to gynaecological check-ups and contraceptive prescriptions. Medicines related to Endometriosis would also be added to the Government formulary.

Addressing the digital sphere, after concerns by experts were raised on the deep nudes phenomena, and extortion, AI-powered online abuse, and algorithms that reward certain content, the Prime Minister said the Police would take a more proactive role through increased online patrols aimed at protecting children and vulnerable persons from online abuse, plans to introduce new laws against image-based abuse and the abusive use of deepfake technology, alongside the establishment of a revenge porn helpline to provide immediate support to victims of such crimes.

He added that victims of domestic violence would be able to testify through video conferencing for a less traumatic experience after having endured a trauma in an abusive relationship, while related procedures would be concluded in the shortest time possible. He said more reports were lodged by domestic violence victims as a result of government holistic measures. He also spoke about the social media reform to help them be less exposed to online abuse.