The evilness of deepfakes

Blog topic #7, August 31, 2021

The Independent describes deepfakes as “a video where artificial intelligence and deep learning — an algorithmic learning method used to train computers — has been used to make a person appear to say something they have not.”

I didn’t quite believe the credibility of these videos — how real could they look? How deceiving could they be? It turns out, very real, albeit looking slightly off.

Deepfake videos, when looked at long enough, appear almost robotic and miss the natural, raw elements of someone talking, thinking and showing ranges of expression and emotion. However, I do not think our society is either cynical or critical enough to distinguish between a real video of a president giving a speech, and a deepfake version of them saying something outlandish and dangerous. This leads to a larger issue of deepfakes powering the “fake news” and “distrust of the media” pandemic we are living in. Deepfake videos are, and will be, a weapon most certainly utilized in the upcoming election, whether to frame someone, cause blame or stir up agitation. Journalism, too, may very well be undermined by this new technology and face a battle with reporting the truth when deepfakes are existing to undermine it. It is yet another hurdle to face in the reporting world.

Deepfakes aren’t rooted in truth, and anything not rooted in truth only pulls us downward — further downward into this pit we are in where there is a war on truth and honesty.

Our technology has become so advanced that it can mess with our perception of truth and accuracy. Did that really happen? Did they really say that? With deepfakes, it’s becoming harder to distinguish. This unsettles me, because deepfakes are fuel poured on the “fake news” fire.

I am supportive of technology advancing to aid and better our society, but I see these as evil technology when used to undermine, lie and cause a divide. I will say…the only redeeming factor of deepfakes is the side rooted in harmless memes. Now that, I can support.

References

Independent Digital News and Media. (2020, August 5). Deepfakes are the most dangerous crime of the future, researchers say. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/deepfakes-dangerous-crime-artificial-intelligence-a9655821.html.