A journalist has drawn criticism after admitting she used artificial intelligence to alter a photograph featuring a woman in designer clothing and accessories at a Michigan Democratic Party election night event. Olivia Reingold, a staff writer for The Free Press, posted an image on X on November 3, showcasing a woman's Valentino shoes and Chanel bag, without initially disclosing that AI had been used to enhance the picture.
Reingold's original post read, "So far at Abdul El-Sayed’s election night event I’ve spotted Valentino heels, a Chanel bag, a Moncler jacket, Rolex watches, and a YSL bag among other designer items." The post quickly drew attention, with users, including Vanity Fair journalist Julia Black, pointing out that the image appeared to be AI-generated.
Black stated on X, "AI image detectors confirmed that yes, Olivia Reingold used an AI-generated image to make her point, without a drop of disclosure. Wild!!!!"
On Thursday, Reingold clarified that she had used ChatGPT to "brighten and sharpen" an otherwise real photograph. "After processing, it still shows these same things: a woman wearing Valentino shoes and a Chanel bag," she wrote. "She is a real (and chic!) woman, really wearing those items. The observation holds."
However, her explanation did not placate many critics, who questioned her journalistic integrity. "I’m sorry but you’re allegedly a professional journalist; how are you not aware that AI “upscaling” completely confabulates missing detail?" one user asked on X. "That’s the only way it can work; there isn’t hidden data to recover. This isn’t a 2004 CSI episode where you just say ‘enhance photo.’"
Another user argued, "That's not how it works. It takes your image, obliterates it, then recompiles it to a fully generated image. It's no longer the same image. You aren't adjusting the raw source, you're recompiling the original image into a whole new product. How can you be a journalist?"
Reingold, who joined The Free Press in 2022, was covering the election night event for Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a Democrat, is set to become the first Muslim senator in U.S. history after defeating Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested race. His victory was part of a broader midterm election night that saw Democrats regain control of both the House and Senate, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.