Czech Deputy Minister Shares AI-Generated Fake Photo Linking Activists to Terrorism Suspect
Czech Deputy Minister of Education Zdeněk Kettner shared an AI-generated deepfake image on social media that falsely depicted civil society leaders Mikuláš Minář and Tomáš Halík alongside a suspect in a major industrial arson case. The image was deleted after being reported, and police are investigating, with legal action threatened by the depicted individuals.
What happened
Deputy Minister Zdeněk Kettner shared an AI-generated photograph on social media depicting civil society leader Mikuláš Minář and theologian Tomáš Halík alongside a man suspected in the Pardubice industrial hall arson case. Kettner later deleted the image and told Minister Robert Plaga it was a mistake and would not be repeated.
Reported impact
Minář stated that the false image connected him and Halík with terrorism and demonstrated 'absolute incompetence' regarding AI technology by someone involved in education policy decisions. The Milion chvilek pro demokracii organization rejected a private apology as insufficient and called for Kettner's removal from office.
Index analysis
The image was created using AI image generation technology to depict real individuals in a false scenario, amplifying a false connection to a serious crime suspect.
Governance controls
Minister Plaga proposed that Kettner meet privately with Minář and Halík to apologize, and stated he was not considering Kettner's dismissal. The SPD party affirmed that Kettner was misled and promised greater caution in verifying photograph authenticity in the future.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.