HK University's Gen AI Porn Scandal Sparks Calls for Laws to Be Updated

Concerns raised over use of emerging tech that isn't covered by dedicated legislation

- Magdalene Fung

HONG KONG - The potential dangers of using generative AI made the headlines in Hong Kong, after a student from a top local university allegedly used artificial intelligence tools to create hundreds of pornographic images of dozens of his female classmates and teachers.

The incident has sparked calls for the government to update its laws to regulate use of the technology, as Hong Kong prepares to launch its first ChatGPT-style AI service this year.

The case involving the University of Hong Kong (HKU) quickly gained public attention over the past week, after three victims took to social media anonymously to convey their unhappiness with the university's handling of the matter.

According to what the victims shared in an Instagram post on July 12, pornographic images of around 20 women were found in February on the personal laptop of the HKU law student, whom they referred to only as X.

The more than 700 photos discovered included original innocuous screenshots and digitally manipulated indecent images of women who were the student's "friends, university classmates, seniors, primary school classmates and even secondary school teachers".

"Upon questioning, X admitted to using photos of the victims as material to generate these pornographic images using free online AI software," the Instagram post read. "It is understood that none of the victims authorized X's actions."

It was not clear how the images were discovered or whether he had distributed them.

The victims alleged that after the case was brought to HKU's attention in March, the university proposed only written and verbal reprimands for the student and cited legal advice that he was unlikely to have committed any legal offence.

"Most victims felt that the university's response was insufficient to hold X accountable," the post said.