Fast-fashion retailer Shein has faced scrutiny following the posting of an AI-generated image that appears to resemble Luigi Mangione, a 27-year-old man currently in custody for the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. The image featured Mangione modeling an $11.69 floral shirt and gained considerable attention on social media.
Mangione is awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been held. Facial-recognition analysis indicated a 99.9% match between the image and a court appearance photo of Mangione. Following the public outcry, Shein promptly removed the image from its platform, attributing its origin to a third-party vendor named Manfinity, which utilizes AI-generated models for its listings.
In response to the incident, Shein released a statement highlighting its commitment to stringent standards for all product listings and announced an internal investigation aimed at enhancing its monitoring processes. The company stated that immediate action will be taken against the vendor in accordance with its policies.
- Why it matters: This incident raises concerns regarding the use of AI in marketing and the potential for misuse of likenesses without consent, impacting brand reputation and consumer trust.
- This situation may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures related to AI technologies and their applications in retail and advertising.
- The latest: Shein is conducting an internal investigation to improve oversight of third-party listings and ensure compliance with its policies.
Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/fact-check-did-luigi-mangione-model-for-shein-viral-image-sparks-debate-article-152654112
Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/fact-check-did-luigi-mangione-model-for-shein-viral-image-sparks-debate-article-152654112