A deepfake is a video, photo, or audio recording that seems real but has been manipulated with AI.
Deepfake videos commonly swap faces or manipulate facial expressions. The main AI technology used to create deepfakes is called Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) GANs generally produce more convincing deepfakes but are more difficult to use.
Deepfakes are becoming more sophisticated, and more difficult for humans to detect. They’re becoming more dangerous too. Cyber criminals create fake personas and deepfake voices to commit financial crimes.
Everything from stock prices to celebrity reputations can be negatively impacted. However, deepfakes, can have legitimate applications in the areas of education, journalism, art and more.
For example, Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida brought artist Salvador Dali back to life using deepfakes. Like any other technology, deepfakes can be used for good or bad ends.
Striking a balance between fostering innovation and mitigating risks requires collaborative efforts from technology developers, cybersecurity experts, and policymakers. As deepfake technology continues to advance, a nuanced understanding of its potential applications and vulnerabilities becomes crucial for shaping ethical guidelines and protective measures that safeguard against malicious use while preserving its positive contributions to various domains.
