logo
UAE: Used AI to create cartoon avatars? You may be risking data theft, deepfakes

UAE: Used AI to create cartoon avatars? You may be risking data theft, deepfakes

Khaleej Timesa day ago
Have you uploaded your photo to an AI app to get a cute cartoon version of yourself? You might want to think twice — an authority in Abu Dhabi issued a warning on Monday about serious privacy risks that go beyond the fun.
The Department of Government Enablement-Abu Dhabi has alerted the publich of concerns around the growing popularity of AI-powered applications that transform personal photos into cartoon characters or digital avatars, cautioning that many users are unknowingly exposing sensitive biometric data.
In a statement posted through X, the authority highlighted that while uploading such images may seem harmless, it can pose serious privacy and security risks, as this data could be misused for commercial exploitation or malicious purposes, including identity theft and fraud.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The department also shared a video addressing the risks associated with these applications. By using just one photo, users have trained AI to recognise and use their face.
The video further warned about potential misuses of personal images, including the creation of fake accounts, fraudulent schemes, and deepfake videos emphasising that users are not just sharing a photo but giving away their biometric identity.
3 tips
To help users protect their privacy, the Department provided several recommendations:
Delete unnecessary apps and photos you previously uploaded on AI apps
Limit app permissions, and block full access
Share knowledge among your family and friends to raise awareness on the underlying risks
Earlier this year, cybersecurity experts raised similar concerns about the viral Ghibli trend that transformed personal photos into Studio Ghibli-inspired avatars.
Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer at Help AG, warned that when creating such avatars, users often upload photos that capture detailed facial features, which can include biometric data that is irreplaceable if compromised.
'The use of these avatars introduces significant risks, primarily related to personal data,' Solling had said. He pointed out that uploaded images may contain hidden metadata, such as device details and location, which could inadvertently expose sensitive information about the user's whereabouts.
Many AI-driven platforms utilise user-uploaded data to enhance their algorithms, and unless users are paying for the service, their images, including facial data, may be used to train AI models, raising serious concerns about data ownership and privacy.
Social media experts also highlighted the surge in user engagement driven by AI-generated avatars, emphasising that while these avatars allow for creativity and self-expression, users must remain vigilant about the potential privacy implications.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Anxious parents face tough choices on artificial intelligence
Anxious parents face tough choices on artificial intelligence

Khaleej Times

time5 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Anxious parents face tough choices on artificial intelligence

When it comes to AI, many parents navigate between fear of the unknown and fear of their children missing out. "It's really hard to predict anything over five years," said Adam Tal, an Israeli marketing executive and father of two boys aged seven and nine, when describing the post-generative AI world. Tal is "very worried" about the future this technology holds for his children -- whether it's deepfakes, "the inability to distinguish between reality and AI," or "the thousands of possible new threats that I wasn't trained to detect." Mike Brooks, a psychologist from Austin, Texas, who specializes in parenting and technology, worries that parents are keeping their heads in the sand, refusing to grapple with AI. "They're already overwhelmed with parenting demands," he observed, and "just trying to get them out of their rooms and into the real world." For Marc Watkins, a professor at the University of Mississippi who focuses on AI in teaching, "we've already gone too far" to shield children from AI past a certain age. Yet some parents are still trying to remain gatekeepers to the technology. "In my circle of friends and family, I'm the only one exploring AI with my child," remarked Melissa Franklin, mother of a 7-year-old boy and law student in Kentucky. "I don't understand the technology behind AI," she said, "but I know it's inevitable, and I'd rather give my son a head start than leave him overwhelmed." 'Benefits and risks' The path is all the more difficult for parents given the lack of scientific research on AI's effects on users. Several parents cite a study published in June by MIT, showing that brain activity and memory were more stimulated in individuals not using generative AI than in those who had access to it. "I'm afraid it will become a shortcut," explained a father of three who preferred to remain anonymous. "After this MIT study, I want them to use it only to deepen their knowledge." This caution shapes many parents' approaches. Tal prefers to wait before letting his sons use AI tools. Melissa Franklin only allows her son to use AI with her supervision to find information "we can't find in a book, through Google, or on YouTube." For her, children must be encouraged to "think for themselves," with or without AI. But one father -- a computer engineer with a 15-year-old -- doesn't believe kids will learn AI skills from their parents anyway. "That would be like claiming that kids learn how to use TikTok from their parents," he said. It's usually "the other way around." Watkins, himself a father, says he is "very concerned" about the new forms that generative AI is taking, but considers it necessary to read about the subject and "have in-depth conversations about it with our children." "They're going to use artificial intelligence," he said, "so I want them to know the potential benefits and risks." The CEO of AI chip giant Nvidia, Jensen Huang, often speaks of AI as "the greatest equalization force that we have ever known," democratizing learning and knowledge. But Watkins fears a different reality: "Parents will view this as a technology that will be used if you can afford it, to get your kid ahead of everyone else." The computer scientist father readily acknowledged this disparity, saying "My son has an advantage because he has two parents with PhDs in computer science, but that's 90 percent due to the fact that we are more affluent than average" -- not their AI knowledge. "That does have some pretty big implications," Watkins said.

Savvy Games Group and King Abdulaziz University partner to launch training program in Games and Esports
Savvy Games Group and King Abdulaziz University partner to launch training program in Games and Esports

Zawya

time6 hours ago

  • Zawya

Savvy Games Group and King Abdulaziz University partner to launch training program in Games and Esports

JEDDAH: Savvy Games Group ('Savvy'), Saudi Arabia's National Champion for Games and Esports, and King Abdulaziz University, one of Saudi Arabia's largest universities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer specialized diplomas in Games Production and Esports Management to students. The collaboration aims to equip Saudi students with high-impact skills that would help them pursue careers in the fast-growing games and esports industries. This MoU lays the groundwork for a strategic partnership between Savvy and King Abdulaziz University, with a shared vision to develop national talent and empower the next generation of professionals in Saudi Arabia's games and esports industry. Launching in the upcoming academic year, the two diplomas for Games Production, and Esports Management, will provide high-quality learning to students, blending academic education with practical, industry-driven expertise. By enrolling into these programs, students will gain core competencies in managing game development projects and organizing professional esports events — two vital fields that are shaping the future of entertainment, technology, and digital experiences. 'This partnership with King Abdulaziz University is a key step in building local capabilities in game development and esports operations,' said Majed Al-Muhanna, Chief Human Resources Officer at Savvy. 'This is part of our Savvy Academy initiative, through which we are enabling new pathways for the next generation of Saudi professionals to gain the skills and experience required to succeed and be a leader in this industry. Our work directly supports the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Vision 2030's ambition of establishing Saudi Arabia as a global hub for games and esports.' Prof. Mohammed Balubaid, Dean of the Applied College, commented: 'This partnership with Savvy underscores our commitment to equipping students for careers in rapidly growing industries aligned with the Vision 2030. As gaming and esports expand at an unprecedented pace, there's a rising demand for talent that combines creative insight with operational excellence. Through this collaboration, students are expected to be exposed to real-world opportunities such as potentially supporting major international events like the Esports World Cup hosted in Saudi Arabia. We're proud to offer our students these pathways and contribute to shaping the Kingdom's digital future.' The MoU is part of Savvy Academy's Level-Up program that is designed to provide vocational training in games and esports to university students in Saudi Arabia by partnering with renowned educational institutions. About Savvy Games Group Savvy Games Group ('Savvy') was formed with a mission to drive long-term growth and innovation in the games and esports industry. Backed by its shareholder, the Public Investment Fund, Savvy deploys capital over long-term horizons through acquisitions, investments, and business ventures. By expanding its portfolio and growing the games and esports ecosystem, it is shaping the future of the sector on a global scale. As Saudi Arabia's National Champion for Games and Esports, Savvy is also focused on developing the sector's domestic ecosystem. About King Abdulaziz University King Abdulaziz University (KAU), located in Jeddah, is a leading academic institution in Saudi Arabia, known for excellence in education, research, and national contribution. The university plays a critical role in developing foundational and interdisciplinary skills that prepare students for evolving professional landscapes. KAU actively engages with industry partners to drive innovation and support Vision 2030 development goals.

Dubai e-hailing service Hala reports 12% trip growth in first half of 2025
Dubai e-hailing service Hala reports 12% trip growth in first half of 2025

Arabian Business

time6 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai e-hailing service Hala reports 12% trip growth in first half of 2025

Dubai-based e-hailing service Hala has recorded growth in trips and users during the first half of 2025, alongside fleet expansion and sustainability initiatives. The joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem reported a 12 per cent increase in taxi trips in Dubai during peak months, with active users rising by 10 per cent. In Ras Al Khaimah, trip volumes grew 11.3 per cent whilst user numbers increased by 15 per cent. Hala sees surge in rides, users Customer satisfaction maintained 4.9 out of 5, with 98 per cent of rated trips marked 'Good' or better. The service delivered a 93 per cent trip fulfilment rate and maintained an average estimated time of arrival under three minutes in peak areas. Hala expanded its fleet by 250 vehicles during H1, with 600 more planned for deployment. The company introduced four electric vehicle models, bringing the overall fleet to 90 per cent hybrid composition. Electric vehicle trips resulted in an estimated emissions reduction of 272.61 metric tons of CO₂e. Operational performance showed improvements across metrics. Customer contact rates dropped by 13 per cent, low-rated trips declined by 25 per cent, and cancellations fell by 17 per cent. These improvements followed initiatives including increased taxi supply, coordination with franchise partners, and customer experience enhancements such as hygiene standards and in-car fragrances through a partnership with Rituals. The company onboarded 2,600 new Captains during H1 with training across operational and service modules. More than 6,000 existing Captains completed refresher training focused on customer experience and ride quality. Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, said: 'We're proud of the momentum achieved in H1, but more importantly, we remain focused on continuous improvement. These results reflect our commitment to raising the bar for mobility in every city we serve. Whether it's through Captain Care, listening to our riders, or investing in greener mobility, we are scaling in a way that is sustainable, responsive, and responsible.' The service operates through the Careem app and provides rides across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Growth reflects wider UAE mobility trends including tourism strength, rising domestic travel, and increased e-hailing adoption as complement to existing transport options. Captain well-being initiatives include development opportunities, safety and service training, support mechanisms for physical and mental well-being, recognition programmes for top performers, flexible scheduling, and financial support programmes.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store