Chengdu charity under scrutiny for using AI-generated images on donation page

The Chengdu Civil Affairs Bureau has demanded immediate rectification from a charitable organization in the city that utilized AI-generated images on its online donation page, according to thecover.cn.

The AI-generated images in question and their links have been removed from the donation page of the Chengdu Ai Yixing Public Welfare Service Center, thecover.cn, a local news portal reported on Wednesday.

On Sunday, the organization was found to have used AI-generated photos on its online donation page, sparking doubts about whether it was engaged in donation fraud, it said.

Ai Yixing responded to thecover.cn on Tuesday, stating that the beneficiary from the donation project was an old woman in her 80s who needed privacy and hoped to receive assistance with dignity, thus they used AI technology to protect her privacy.

Some netizens expressed that AI synthesis technology may lead to "donation scams". In contrast, others agreed with Ai Yixing's methods of integrating new technologies into charitable activities to protect the privacy of beneficiaries.

"It is our negligence not to label the photos as synthesized. However, in conducting the project, all information provided is authentic, and the flow of funds is transparent and traceable," Ai Yixing said.

In response to the public concern, the Chengdu Civil Affairs Bureau launched an investigation, which confirmed that the photos of the woman were AI-generated.

The bureau told thecover.cn that they had summoned the responsible person from Ai Yixing and demanded immediate rectification and transparency in the rectification process.

All charitable organizations in Chengdu are required to ensure the authenticity and effectiveness of textual and visual content when conducting public fundraising activities. Consent from the individuals must be obtained when using personal photos, while the use of fabricated images is strictly prohibited, the bureau said.