We explain what realistic cloth-removing image generators are, how they work, and why you should be cautious if you decide to use them.
In a world where we upload photos of ourselves to social media without a second thought, something unsettling is happening beneath the surface: artificial intelligences are now capable of «seeing» beyond what we show. And no, we’re not talking about technological superpowers — we’re referring to algorithms that can reconstruct realistic images of people without clothes, using only ordinary photographs.
These tools, originally developed for academic or medical purposes — such as simulating surgical procedures — have fallen into less responsible hands. And although it may sound like science fiction, the results are as convincing as they are disturbing.
According to experts in digital security and technology ethics, some deep learning models trained on millions of body images can now generate hyper-realistic representations of the human body under clothing. Some programs even allow adjustments to poses, angles, and even skin textures — all from a simple public profile photo.
«It’s as if you gave the program a photo of your cousin at the beach and it returned an image where he’s shirtless… even though he was wearing a shirt in the original,» explains Sofía Martínez, a cybersecurity researcher at the Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires.
And this is where the problem begins.
A tool or a threat?
While this technology has legitimate applications — for example, in forensic medicine or adaptive clothing design — it has also opened the door to new forms of digital harassment. In underground forums and poorly regulated platforms, modified versions of these models are already being used to create non-consensual intimate images of ordinary people, often without their knowledge.
A phenomenon particularly dangerous at a time when people are increasingly sharing personal data, photos, and videos without considering the consequences.
«We are facing a new form of privacy violation,» says Carlos Domínguez, a digital law expert. «The concern isn’t so much the AI itself, but the fact that these tools are available with just a few clicks and no safeguards.»
What can we do?
For now, lawmakers and tech companies are working to curb these types of misuse. Some social networks already use automated detection systems to block content generated by AI. But the pace of technological development still outstrips that of legislation.
In the meantime, the most sensible advice comes directly from experts: think twice before sharing any personal image. Because nowadays, what seems harmless today could become a breach of your privacy tomorrow.
So next time you take a selfie or post a vacation photo, it might be worth asking yourself: what could an AI see that you don’t?