Kate Ceberano Shares Horror Reaction to Finding an AI-Generated Image of Herself
Nine.com.au
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Details
- Date Published
- 22 July 2026
- Priority Score
- 1
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 22 July 2026, 08:01 am
Description
Kate Ceberano has taken to Instagram to share her outrage at finding an AI version of herself. The image appeared to be a fake news story showing her crying as she held a phone showing a picture of herself with the late actor Sam Neill.
Summary
Australian singer Kate Ceberano highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes used for disinformation and celebrity impersonation. The incident involves the exploitation of synthetic media to leverage public grief for engagement, illustrating vulnerabilities in current digital verification standards. While the article focuses on individual harm and copyright/likeness issues rather than existential risk, it underscores the societal trust degradation caused by increasingly accessible frontier generative AI tools. The report reflects broader Australian concerns regarding the lack of robust governance frameworks to mitigate the harms of non-consensual AI content.
Body
sharesShare articleKate Ceberano has taken to Instagram to share her outrage at finding an AI-generated image of herself mourning a close friend. The image was a fake news story showing her crying as she held a phone showing a picture of herself with the late actor Sam Neill. Kate Ceberano is the latest star to call out the miss use of AI. GettyAdvertisement“What the actual…!!!!!! 🤬My first interaction with an AI version of myself,” Ceberano wrote on Instagram. “I nearly threw up. I feel sorry to the good people who wrote meaningful comments to this specious post. “You were tricked and I kinda think this is just the beginning. I’m speechless!!!!!!”The comments section of Ceberano’s post was filled with messages of support for the star, validating her horrified reaction to the image. “This is just nuts Katie – as soon as I sighted that it felt wrong. Thanks for flagging. Love u x,” wrote Aussie chef and public figure, Poh Ling Yeow. View post on Instagram “WTAF! We really have jumped onto a freakin’ AI merry-go-round that is never going to stop - but just gets faster and faster 🙏🏼🙏🏼😔😔❤️,” added journalist and media commentator, Melissa Hoyer. Read moreNicole Kidman, Laura Tingle, Anthony Albanese and more pay tribute to beloved NZ actor Sam NeillAdvertisementCeberano did not say where she found the image, but it appeared to be capitalising on the outpouring of tributes following the recent death of New Zealand star Sam Neill.Neill died on July 13, aged 78, while being treated for pneumonia at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Private Hospital. His family shared news of his death in a statement posted on Instagram. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” it read.AdvertisementAdvertisement“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”His ex-partner Laura Tingle and former co-star Rime Te Wiata, both cited pneumonia as Neill’s cause of death. AdvertisementThis was the picture used in the AI generated photo of Ceberano. She had shared it to Instagram in tribute to Neill. Instagram/@therealkateceberanoCeberano posted a tribute to Neill on Instagram shortly after his death, sharing the image shown on the phone screen in the AI-generated picture. “I sang with you in Molokai whilst you played your ukulele,” she wrote. “Your gentle heart and radiant smile made me feel seen and loved. You will always be one of the special souls it has been such a pleasure to know you .AdvertisementAdvertisement“Aloha ’oe til we meet again dear Sam.”Friends alumni Lauren Tom reveals daughter Ellie, 25, diagnosed with bone cancerFormer child star Kaylee Hottle has died at age 18 in a horror car accident‘No, don’t!’ Anne Hathaway breaks down in tears during live TV interviewReality star suffers devastating health setback days after tongue cancer reveal