Illusion or reality

Ethical navigation in times of AI-enhanced visual communication

Bibliographic Data

ID22204407
AuthorsSyed Atiq Hussain (0000-0002-2704-4551, University of Sharjah, corresponding author), Hala Georges (0000-0002-9276-9700, University of Wollongong in Dubai), Nawal Abdel Razaq Askar (0000-0001-7783-5450)
Year2025
Volume12
Pages102228
Publication date2025-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences & Humanities Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2590-2911 • E-ISSN: 2590-2911
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102228
OpenAlexW4417124279
LanguageEN
References cited37

The exponential growth of AI has impacted visual communication, enabling the creation of highly realistic manipulated images. This study conducts an integrative literature review of existing studies to explore the ethical implications of AI-generated visuals, focusing on issues of authenticity, representation, and improving media literacy. The study provides three cases to show the challenges posed by AI's ability to produce and alter images, emphasizing the need for transparency, honesty, and integrity in visual communication. The study also examines the moral boundaries of visual deception and disinformation, proposing strategies for students, designers, artists, and visual communicators to navigate these ethical dilemmas. Main themes include the ownership and originality of AI-generated works, the reinforcement of biases in visual media, environmental impacts, and the displacement of human creativity. The study provides an ethical framework and advocates for ethical guidelines, media literacy, and robust mechanisms of accountability to address these challenges. Practically, the study calls for integration between visual communicators, tech companies, and policymakers to ensure that as AI continues to transform visual communication, the core values of truth and integrity remain at the core of the process

Accountability · Deception · Illusion · Perception · Visual Communication · Visual media · Visual research · Visual rhetoric · Digital Media and Visual Art · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations

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