Hillingdon councillor alleges racist AI images from Conservatives

Sital Punja, a Labour councillor in Hillingdon, has called for stronger protections for elected officials following the release of AI-generated images by the local Conservative Party. Punja, who is of Indian heritage, alleges that the images utilized “racist and antisemitic tropes.”

One specific image shared on X depicted Punja controlling white male councillors as if they were puppets. Punja argued that puppeteering imagery has been used as a racist and antisemitic trope for decades. Another image showed her running alongside horse-drawn carts carrying slogans critical of Labour policies. Punja stated that the AI-generated depictions exaggerated her features to make her appear as a threat.

The Hillingdon Conservative Group has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the content was intended strictly as “political satire” and denying any racist or antisemitic intent. Punja has expressed that the use of AI to manipulate her image has crossed a line, following a history of online trolling.