The Belgian Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador over an AI-generated image of the minister

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot summoned U.S. Ambassador Bill White over the publication of an offensive image of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, created using artificial intelligence. The reason was the American diplomat’s reaction to the Belgian official.

On Instagram, the U.S. ambassador responded to the controversy surrounding a recently passed law requiring health warnings about the dangers of alcohol in advertisements. 

White posted an AI-generated image of the Belgian health minister with the caption: “Destroys all joy in life.” Above it, he wrote: “Who is the biggest loser in Belgium?”

The Belgian government was outraged by the American diplomat’s post.

“It is unacceptable for an ambassador accredited to Belgium to speak out against a member of our government in this manner. As foreign minister, I will summon the U.S. ambassador in the coming days,” said Maxime Prévot.

In recent days, a controversy has erupted in Belgium over stricter health warnings about the dangers of alcohol in advertisements. Instead of “excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health,” manufacturers must now print “alcohol is harmful to your health” on their products. Belgian brewers have launched a campaign against the new law.

Ambassador White is known for stirring up scandals and controversies by appealing to right-wing populist sentiments. He had previously been summoned by the foreign minister. In recent months, the ambassador has had disputes with Vandenbroucke and Prevo.

This was reported by Belga News.

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