Chicago man created viral AI image of Pope Francis while high on mushrooms

Photos of Pope Francis wearing a stylish, white puffy coat took over the internet last weekend. But, after the initial bewildered reactions over the apparent fashion sense the leader of the Catholic Church had suddenly revealed, internet users were hit with a twist: The images were generated by artificial intelligence.

Pablo Xavier, 31, a utility worker and longtime Chicagoan, told the Tribune he had been high on mushrooms Friday when he began playing around with Midjourney, an AI art tool. In a flash, inspiration struck as he typed his prompts: Catholic Pope Francis. Balenciaga puffy coat. Streets of Paris.

“As I put in the prompt, and (the image) popped up, I was just like, ‘Yeah, this is it,’” he said.

Pablo, a Humboldt Park resident, has taken up painting and AI art as a therapeutic hobby, he said, so he wasn’t expecting the images to blow up. Pablo grew up in a Catholic family, but said he doesn’t consider himself religious. Still, he notes, he didn’t intend to offend anyone with his art.

“I expected a little backlash,” said Pablo, who asked that his last name not be used due to concerns for his own safety. “I understand why they’re mad. But, I mean, I was just doing it to be funny.”

Pablo said he posted the images to a Facebook group and a few Reddit forums where people share AI-generated art, so he didn’t have the intention of fooling people into thinking the pope images were real. He said he was banned from Reddit shortly after his post went up.

He started dabbling in AI art after his 29-year-old brother died in October. As he grieved, Pablo found solace in creating images with his brother’s face, “making older versions of him, versions that I wouldn’t ever see.”

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” he added.

The internet virality of the AI images of the pope has only underscored the power — and dangers — of AI misinformation. Just days earlier, AI-generated fake images of former President Donald Trump being arrested by police in New York City spread across social media following news of his possible indictment for paying hush money to women who alleged sexual encounters with him.

Experts say that AI-generated images and deepfakes can lead not only to widespread disinformation, including malicious campaigns, but also to cybercrime such as phishing.

“The impact of AI, in terms of the spread of disinformation, is going to be huge,” said V.S. Subrahmanian, a computer science professor at Northwestern University, “because what we’re seeing is the ability of ordinary people — not technologists, but in this case, an artist — who are able to use off-the-shelf tools to create extremely realistic imagery.”

Though the Vatican has yet to address the fake images, on Monday Pope Francis talked about artificial intelligence with scientists, theologians and ethicists during the “Minerva Dialogues,” an annual gathering organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Education and Culture. He spoke about the benefits of this technology in advancing the common good, but warned against its irresponsible or unethical use.

“I am convinced that the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning has the potential to contribute in a positive way to the future of humanity,” he said, according to Vatican News. “At the same time I am certain that this potential will be realized only if there is a constant and consistent commitment on the part of those developing these technologies to act ethically and responsibly.”

Subrahmanian said the realistic qualities of Pablo’s images were impressive, and admitted to giving a “chuckle” when he first saw them.

“I think it’s pretty clear to most people that this is intended as just an artistic expression, a kind of joke,” Subrahmanian said. “I don’t think anybody was expecting to see (Pope Francis) wandering around in a black leather jacket or snazzy sneakers or a puffy white jacket.”

But he said AI tools are a “double-edged sword.” The use of AI, he said, can be good, but it “comes at a price.”

“(AI art) can be therapeutic. It can be fun,” he said. “It can be used as a force for good. But, at the same time, there’s this dark side to it.”

The artist himself predicted AI will undergo some sort of regulation in the future.

“I don’t think AI will get regulated as far as art styles, but I definitely think it probably will get regulated as far as using public figures,” Pablo said. He pointed out the fact that AI can also be used to digitally alter audio and video to create deepfakes of people’s voices and bodies. “It just opens up so many doors.”

On Wednesday, just a few days after the pope’s images went viral, the 86-year-old pontiff made news again: He was hospitalized for a respiratory infection, though his condition was “progressively improving” as of Thursday morning.

“I hope he’s OK,” Pablo said. “Even if I’m not religious, whether we have differences, no one should wish ill will on anybody.”

adperez@chicagotribune.com