‘Think before sharing,’ Giorgia Meloni says as AI-made lingerie image of her goes viral - The…

In May 2026, AI-generated deepfake images of Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, circulated online, prompting criticism and concern. One image depicted her in lingerie.

What happened

The AI-generated image went viral and prompted condemnation from users who believed it to be genuine. Meloni responded on Facebook, acknowledging the images and noting that they improved her appearance. She also warned that deepfakes are a dangerous tool that can deceive, manipulate, and target anyone, and she urged people to verify before believing and think before sharing. Meloni's government previously approved a law regulating the use of AI, introducing prison terms for those who deploy the technology to cause harm, including the creation of deepfakes.