Deepfakes: AI, misogyny, and the need for an intersectional feminist lens

In this paper, I examine the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through an intersectional feminist lens. Artificial intelligence tools are fast transforming our societies and economies. National governments have overwhelmingly embraced the proliferation of AI as a key driver of economic growth and innovation. Feminist activists and scholars have pointed out the ways in which such technologies are often used to harm women and other minority groups (Burkell and Gosse, 2019; Wagner and Blewer, 2019). One key AI technology that is used in this way, and which is the focus of this paper, is the phenomenon of Deepfakes. Deepfakes are digitally altered images made using AI technology. The overwhelming majority of deepfake videos online are pornographic in nature and involve the mapping of the faces of female celebrities onto the bodies of adult content creators (Deeptrace, 2019; Mania, 2024). Deepfakes have been used to abuse female celebrities, investigative journalists, and activists, including activists who speak out against the abuse of women through digital platforms (McDermott and Davies, 2022; Maddocks, 2020). In analysing these dynamics, I argue that the use of deepfakes therefore reflects wider misogynistic ideological currents that seek to police the conduct of women in the public sphere. Reflecting on these dynamics, I also argue that deepfakes are therefore indicative of an interesting dilemma for feminist activists. On the one hand, digital platforms have proved useful for scholars, politicians, and activists to spread information and awareness of issues. Yet at the same time they form a key mechanism through which individuals and groups are abused and silenced. Feminist insights, especially those which adopt an intersectional approach are, in light of this, crucial to countering the techno-optimism of governments and their approach to AI. This is because an intersectional feminist approach draws attention to how such technologies are often used in ways that harm marginalised groups within society, whilst at the same time forming a key theoretical underpinning of attempts to use digital platforms to spread awareness of and campaign against these harmful practices.