Why deepfakes in news :
A fabricated video featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna has circulated on the internet, causing concern among influential figures in India regarding the use of technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI). In this viral video, a woman dressed in black is seen entering an elevator. On closer inspection, the woman’s face strikingly resembles Rashmika Mandanna, who co-stars in Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film, “Animal.” The video has amassed millions of views online, grabbing the attention of renowned Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The highly realistic appearance of the video, seemingly portraying Rashmika Mandanna, has troubled internet users. This nearly authentic video of Rashmika has been generated using deepfake, an AI technology.
Central Idea
Advanced deep learning techniques birth deepfakes, altering media content to propagate false information. These fabrications create a tangled web, blurring the distinction between truth and falsehood, ultimately presenting formidable societal challenges.
Emerging as an evolution from conventional photoshopping, deepfakes harbor a deceptive potential that surpasses expectations, posing a serious threat of manipulation.
Deepfakes are synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness. While the act of faking media is as old as media itself, deepfakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence to create realistic and convincing results.
Deepfakes have a wide range of potential applications, from creating realistic visual effects for movies and TV shows to developing new educational content. However, they also pose significant risks, including the potential to spread misinformation, propaganda, and disinformation. Deepfakes can also be used to commit fraud and blackmail.
How deepfakes are made
Deepfakes are created using a variety of techniques, but the most common approach is to use a deep learning algorithm called a generative adversarial network (GAN). GANs are trained on two sets of data: a set of real images or videos of the target person, and a set of real images or videos of the person whose likeness is being used. The GAN learns to map the features of the target person’s face onto the features of the person whose likeness is being used.
Once the GAN is trained, it can be used to generate deepfakes of the target person saying or doing anything. The deepfakes can be so realistic that it can be difficult to tell them apart from real videos.
The dangers of deepfakes
Deepfakes pose a number of dangers, including:
- Misinformation: Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation about political candidates, government policies, or other important topics. This could mislead people and impact their ability to make informed decisions.
- Propaganda: Deepfakes can be used to spread propaganda designed to influence public opinion or manipulate people’s behavior.
- Disinformation: Deepfakes can be used to sow discord and confusion in society.
- Fraud: Deepfakes can be used to commit fraud, such as identity theft or financial fraud.
- Blackmail: Deepfakes can be used to blackmail people, such as by threatening to release embarrassing or incriminating deepfakes
Real-world examples or case studies
Political Influence:
In 2018, a deepfake video of former President Barack Obama was created, demonstrating the potential to manipulate political narratives. This technology raises concerns about the misuse of such content for political disinformation, potentially influencing public perception and decision-making.
Corporate Fraud:
A case in Belgium involved a CEO being tricked into transferring funds to what he believed was the company’s parent organization. The fraudsters used a convincing deepfake audio, imitating the CEO’s voice, leading to a significant financial loss.
Social Media Misuse:
An incident involving a fake viral video of a celebrity engaging in controversial behavior showed how easily deepfakes can spread misinformation, leading to public backlash and affecting reputations.
Election Manipulation:
During the 2019 parliamentary elections in Gabon, a deepfake video purported to show the country’s president conceding defeat, causing confusion and unrest. This incident highlighted the potential misuse of deepfakes to manipulate election outcomes.
How to protect yourself from deepfakes
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from deepfakes:
- Be critical of the information you see online. Don’t believe everything you see, especially videos and images that seem too good to be true or that promote a particular agenda.
- Verify the source of the information. Before sharing any information online, make sure it comes from a credible source.
- Use fact-checking websites. There are a number of fact-checking websites that can help you to verify the accuracy of information online.
- Be aware of the latest deepfake detection techniques. Researchers are constantly developing new ways to detect deepfakes. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments so that you can better protect yourself.
Conclusion
Deepfakes are a new and emerging technology with the potential to have a significant impact on our society. It is important to be aware of the dangers of deepfakes and to take steps to protect yourself. By being critical of the information you see online, verifying the source of the information, and using fact-checking websites, you can help to reduce the risk of being misled by deepfakes.
Here are 10 questions and their respective answers about deepfakes:
1. Q: What are deepfakes and how are they created?
– A: Deepfakes are synthetic media that use AI and machine learning to manipulate images or videos, replacing a person’s likeness with another. They are created using algorithms, like generative adversarial networks (GANs), by training on real data of both the target and source individuals.
2. Q: What dangers do deepfakes pose to society?
– A: Deepfakes present risks like spreading misinformation, influencing public opinion, causing identity theft, and impacting trust in media. They can be misused for fraud, political manipulation, and reputation damage.
3. Q: How do deepfakes impact political landscapes?
– A: Deepfakes can potentially manipulate political narratives, mislead voters, and influence election outcomes. They have been used to create fabricated speeches or videos of political figures.
4. Q: What measures are being taken to combat deepfakes globally?
– A: Various countries have introduced laws and regulations to address the challenges posed by deepfakes. Tech companies are also developing detection tools and algorithms to counter the spread of falsified media.
5. Q: What role does AI play in the detection of deepfakes?
– *A: AI is integral in both creating and detecting deepfakes. AI-powered algorithms help identify inconsistencies or abnormalities in media content that might indicate it is manipulated.*
6. Q: How do deepfakes affect public trust in media and public figures?
– A: The manipulation of media using deepfakes can erode public trust in the authenticity of information and impact the credibility of public figures, leading to potential skepticism and loss of trust.
7. Q: Can deepfakes be used for positive applications?
– A: Yes, deepfakes have positive potential in entertainment, including creating realistic special effects in movies and educational content development.
8. Q: Are there specific sectors or industries more vulnerable to the dangers of deepfakes?
– A: Sectors like journalism, politics, finance, and entertainment are particularly vulnerable to the risks of deepfakes due to their potential to influence public opinion, cause financial fraud, or damage reputations.
9. Q: What ethical considerations arise from the use of deepfakes?
– *A: The ethical concerns primarily revolve around the misuse of manipulated content, such as creating false narratives, misleading the public, or causing reputational harm to individuals.*
10. Q: What strategies can individuals employ to protect themselves against the impact of deepfakes?
– A: Individuals can stay vigilant by fact-checking information, verifying sources, using credible news outlets, and keeping informed about emerging detection techniques and technologies to minimize the risk of falling for deepfakes.
