For Caitlin Roper, an Australian activist with the group Collective Shout, the online threats looked disturbingly real. Photos of her hanging from a noose or burning alive began circulating on X and other platforms. What made them unbearable was their precision — she recognised the same blue floral dress she actually owned. These weren’t random memes; they were AI-generated images built to terrify.

The power of personalisation

Artificial intelligence has already drawn criticism for cloning voices or making deepfake pornography. Now, it’s being weaponised to deliver realistic threats, the New York Times reported. Experts say generative models make intimidation more credible and accessible: even a single photo can let harassers produce violent visuals. “Anyone with no skills but bad intent

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