As AI integrates more deeply into our every day lives, deepfake technology has turn out to be a growing concern for a lot of, particularly those keen on sharing personal moments on social media. Whether it’s an evening out with friends or a family picnic within the Bahamas, photos shared across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat aren’t necessarily protected from potential misuse.
A young woman from Korea recently took to social media to specific her distress over a deepfake video made as an act of revenge. Within the video, she gave the impression to be undressed. She passionately pleaded for the removal of the AI-generated video and urged the person to stop its distribution.
In October 2023, renowned figures reminiscent of CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, actor Tom Hanks, and YouTube personality MrBeast were victims of unauthorized deepfake videos that spread across social media platforms. One other video featuring CNN journalist Clarissa Ward near the Israel-Gaza border was manipulated to solid doubt on her reporting.
These videos, crafted with cutting-edge deepfake technology, have the facility to substitute individuals inside existing content. Their realistic nature is unsettling, leading many to consider of their authenticity. This includes AI-generated songs mimicking famous stars, a few of which have turn out to be chart-toppers.
Such events have sparked global concerns in regards to the potential for public humiliation, harassment, and blackmail, further highlighting the sinister potential of deepfakes.
Why Deepfake Technology is More Dangerous Than You Think
The rise in disturbing incidents indicates the urgency for proactive measures against deepfakes. Currently, there is not a universal law addressing deepfakes or unauthorized AI-generated content, even in the US. While they can not be entirely eradicated, protective steps might be taken.
For those unfamiliar, deepfake technology employs AI to craft realistic but fabricated images, videos, or audio clips. This deceptive technology gained prominence around 2017 when an anonymous Reddit user introduced an algorithm to generate lifelike fake videos.
Though initially intended for entertainment, education, or activism, the rapid advancement of AI, coupled with deepfake capabilities, presents a large number of security and ethical concerns. This includes:
- Privacy Violation: A primary concern is unauthorized use of an individual’s likeness. Notable cases include deepfake adult videos of celebrities, tarnishing their image. As an illustration, in 2017, an inappropriate video falsely portraying actress Gal Gadot circulated widely.
- Disinformation and Manipulation: Deepfakes can distort truths, influencing public opinion. A notable example is a deepfake video featuring former President Obama, created by BuzzFeed and Jordan Peele. Though intended as a PSA against misinformation, it underscores the technology’s potential misuse.
- Fraud and Blackmail: This technology can produce fake evidence or deceive through voice/image duplication. Criminals might use deepfakes for extortion and even financial fraud, as seen when a UK energy company was tricked into transferring a major amount, potentially through voice deepfake.
- Bias and Discrimination: Deepfakes can perpetuate or amplify societal prejudices, potentially misrepresenting specific demographics.
Deepfakes: Threats to Democracy, Relationships, and Identity
While deepfake technology itself is not inherently malevolent, its misuse might be damaging. It may distort electoral outcomes, strain personal relationships, and violate personal identity, as showcased in entertainment programs like Netflix’s “DeepFake Love” and “Clickbait”.
Concluding Thoughts
Deepfakes are transforming the digital realm, unlocking revolutionary avenues while posing ethical challenges. The absence of world regulation and effective detection tools makes this a critical issue. While public awareness and media literacy are essential, they form just a part of the answer.
It is important to ponder: Will we view deepfakes as technological wonders or threats to individual and societal well-being? The conversation must persist, as collective awareness and motion are crucial in mitigating the detrimental impacts of deepfake technology.