UN Women warns of AI-assisted online violence against women in public life
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 1
UN Women warns of AI-assisted online violence against women in public life
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 1
Surveying more than 1,500 women, the report said 6% experienced deepfakes, 12% had images shared without consent and nearly a third received unsolicited sexual advances online.
It said AI, anonymity and weak laws are enabling coordinated abuse that damages reputations, harms mental health and pushes journalists, activists and other public figures to self-censor or leave digital spaces.
UN Women urged tech companies to add safeguards and governments to strengthen protections, noting fewer than 40% of countries have laws against cyber-harassment or cyberstalking.
With AI deepfakes on the rise, can global laws and technology keep up to protect women from digital abuse before more harm is done?
How will the growing wave of AI-driven online violence reshape women's participation in public life, and can current mental health support systems cope?