Gráinne Seoige rules out future political career after deepfake targeting

TV presenter Gráinne Seoige has announced she will not pursue a career in politics again following her experience during the 2024 general election. While running as a Fianna Fáil candidate for the Galway West constituency, Seoige was targeted by the circulation of AI-generated pornographic deepfake images.

Seoige described the incident as ‘the most shocking thing that’s ever happened to me in my life,’ noting that it led to a diagnosis of PTSD. She shared that the experience left her feeling humiliated and vulnerable, often requiring her to go out in disguise to avoid public scrutiny. She emphasized the need for authorities and platforms to be held accountable to ensure the safety of women and young girls.

Her experiences will be the focus of a new documentary, ‘Deepfake Ireland: The Naked Truth,’ which is scheduled to air on Virgin Media One on October 5. The film investigates the rise of explicit AI-generated imagery and its impact on victims.