A deepfake is a video (or audio recording) that has been edited using an algorithm to replace the person in the original with someone else. Deepfakes are not real. It is an example of manipulation with the help of AI technologies.
Some technologies used to create deepfakes are ML, deep learning and neural networks.
Recently the deepfake video of actress Rashmika Mandana surfaced over social media platforms. Pending a new law, Digital India Act, the government asked social media firms to take down content related to deepfakes and similar misinformation from their platforms, even in the absence of a formal complaint under the provisions of already existing Information Technology Act. The failure to do so will attract Section 66D of the IT Act, 2020 (punishment for cheating by personation using computer resources and imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to 1 lac.)
Deepfakes can upend society. There are instances of fake political propaganda, news and pornography. This happened when there was no AI to assist.
Deepfakes may be derived from ‘deep learning’ and ‘fake’. It is synthetic media — media that is manipulated or wholly generated by AI.
With the advent of AI, there are many apps now accessible which facilitate the creation of deepfakes. Even there is professional assistance available at meagre cost.
Social media and smart phones spread the deepfakes at lightning speed.
Most of deepfake produced is non-consensual porn or image-based abuse.
Deepfakes affect the elections. There are videos of candidates saying something unpalatable in the final moments of an election — having the potential to change the election.
Deepfakes can cause instability in the business sector.
Disinformation campaigns can threaten the democratic processes.
In a world of deepfakes, it is difficult to distinguish between reality and fakes. It can lead to ‘infocalypse’. Public can doubt the authenticity of real media. The line between real and fake becomes hazy. We the common people will not take anything on social media at its face value. That is infocalypse — the greatest danger posed by AI and deepfakes.