Simon Harris forced to delete AI-generated social post after X-rated blunder

Simon Harris appears to have removed AI generated images from his social media after an X-rated blunder.

The Tánaiste engaged in a social trend where people use ChatGPT to turn some of their photos into cartoons inspired by a Japanese animation studio.

One photo of Harris standing at a podium which had the text "An Ród so Romham" on it – meaning "This Road Ahead of Me" – was changed to "An Bod So Romnain" in the AI version.

The word "Bod" means "Penis".

Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh took aim at the Tánaiste over the AI mishap.

“While everyone is of course entitled to have their fun on social media using new technology, the Tánaiste calling himself a 'penis' in a cartoon shows his preoccupation with frantically rushing between superficial photo-ops and online trends for likes instead of doing his job effectively,” the Dublin TD said.

Mr Ó Snodaigh, who is Sinn Féin’s spokesman for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, said the Tánaiste should have checked the text in front of him and the soldiers standing behind.

“Rather than turning Irish soldiers into propaganda cartoons for his personal benefit, Simon Harris could finally give them proper pay and conditions to address the recruitment and retention crisis.

“He could also stop trying to undermine Irish neutrality and the role of the UN in our defence policy under which they have proudly served as peacekeepers for generations.

“AI represents an unprecedented advance in technology with great opportunities for humanity but among other downsides, it pilfers the work of our artists without paying them or asking for their consent.

“Harris could instruct his Fine Gael Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan to finally engage with artists and develop a strategy to ensure their livelihoods and intellectual property rights are not undermined as AI develops.”