Viral AI Post on Rafah Sparks Debate: Activism or Slacktivism?
May 31, 2024
The AI-generated 'All Eyes on Rafah' Instagram template has gone viral, amassing over 47 million shares following an Israeli airstrike in Rafah.
Critics, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the image as performative activism and 'slacktivism,' comparing it to the black squares posted during the Black Lives Matter protests.
Despite being shared by celebrities like Malala Yousafzai and Gigi Hadid, the image has received backlash for not reflecting the harsh reality of the conflict in Gaza.
Real images of the war-torn city have been censored on social media platforms, highlighting the challenges of using social media for activism and raising awareness.
The surge in shares of the AI-generated post reflects a desire for individuals to condemn the ongoing violence in a more palatable manner, but has sparked debate on its effectiveness in addressing the actual issues at hand.
Summary based on 11 sources
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Sources

The Washington Post • May 30, 2024
What a viral, fake image of Rafah tells us about AI propaganda
BBC News • May 30, 2024
All Eyes on Rafah: The post shared by 47m people
New York Post • May 30, 2024
'Vapid': 'All Eyes on Rafah' viral post ripped for fake AI images of Gaza
CNN • May 30, 2024
How a likely AI-generated image of Gaza took over the internet