Whose Reality? Consent Boundaries and Free Speech Arguments in the Politics of Generative AI

Generative AI enables creation of increasingly realistic deepfakes that challenge content authenticity assessment. This research examines how anti-woke opinion leaders frame deepfake technology within broader cultural discourse. Through narrative analysis of statements and media between 2018 and 2024, we identify significant inconsistencies in these figures’ approaches to consent and bodily autonomy. While championing unrestricted speech when deepfakes target women, minorities, or political opponents, these commentators often advocate for regulation when personally affected. This selective application of principles reveals how deepfake technology disproportionately impacts minoritized groups while reinforcing existing power hierarchies. The research exposes fundamental tensions within anti-woke discourse between freedom of expression and protection from exploitation. Ultimately, deepfakes serve as a lens through which to understand broader ideological inconsistencies around technological governance, highlighting the urgent need for consent-based approaches to synthetic media regulation.