PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Elliston Berry

Elliston Berry is a deepfake safety advocate whose own case became part of the story behind the Take It Down Act. In October 2023, when she was 14, photos of her and two friends were edited with artificial intelligence to make them appear nude in Aledo, Texas. Senator Ted Cruz's office responded to her mother in April 2024, and in May 2025 she attended the White House Rose Garden signing as the law passed. TIME named her to its 2025 TIME100 AI list and to its TIME100 Next list. As of October 2026, Adaptive Security and Pathos Consulting Group provide free deepfake safety training for U.S. schools that she helped create.

Timeline

  1. October 2023

    AI-edited photos in Aledo

    In October 2023, she wakes in Aledo, Texas, to frantic texts from a friend, and photos of her and two friends are edited with artificial intelligence to make them appear nude. When she is 14, a classmate makes and shares a deepfake nude image of her.

  2. April 2024

    A trip to Washington

    Senator Ted Cruz's office responds to her mother in April 2024, and later flies her to Washington to talk about a possible AI deepfake bill.

  3. May 2025

    A White House Rose Garden signing

    The Take It Down Act passes in May 2025, and she attends the White House Rose Garden signing, where the president and first lady highlight her advocacy.

  4. 2025

    TIME100 AI and TIME100 Next

    TIME names her to its 2025 TIME100 AI list, and TIME100 Next lists her among its rising stars.

  5. January 2026

    A deepfake training course

    In January 2026, she helps create an online course with Adaptive Security and Pathos Consulting Group that teaches students, parents and school staff about deepfake image abuse.

  6. As of October 2026

    A deepfake safety advocate

    She is a 2025 TIME100 recipient and a deepfake safety advocate, and Adaptive Security and Pathos Consulting Group provide free deepfake safety training for U.S. schools.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Elliston Berry yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. New Take It Down law limits fake digital nudes texastribune.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. This teen was targeted by deepfake nudes. She hopes new training course will help future victims | CNN Business edition.cnn.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Teenage target of sexualized deepfakes fights back with online tools | NPR Illinois nprillinois.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Die Top 100 AI Leader der Welt | OnlineMarketing.de onlinemarketing.de. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. An acolyte, advocate, a mayor, Kpop demon hunter, and Superman: People we love in TIME100 Next — The POST thepost.ph. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Protecting Students from Deepfake Sexual Abuse | Adaptive Security adaptivesecurity.com. Checked 14 October 2026.