New Delhi: This technology uses AI and ML algorithms to create or alter video and audio recordings so that they appear real, even though they are not. Deepfake convincingly replaces the likeness of one person with another in video and audio files, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake content.
It utilizes deep learning algorithms, particularly generative adversarial networks (GANs), to analyse and synthesize data and produce very realistic but fake content. A computer algorithm is fed with thousands of images or audio samples of the person to be targeted and of the person who will replace the target.
The algorithm learns the details of the appearance or voice of both persons and then generates new content by switching the characteristics of one to the other. These algorithms can be trained on large datasets of images or videos to learn patterns and characteristics, enabling convincing forgeries.
The creative purpose of deepfake is seen in the entertainment industry for special effects, dubbing, or bringing deceased actors back to life in movies. But there are serious ethical concerns about the ethical implications of using someone’s likeness without their permission.
This technology can generate very convincing fake news stories and manipulate videos of political leaders, celebrities, or other public figures saying or doing things they have never actually said or done. Deepfake is, apparently, easily available, and it leads to a general sense of mistrust and paranoia.
This technology poses serious ethical and legal issues concerning privacy, consent, copyright, and defamation. Deepfake is posing a threat to personal and national security. It is, apparently, easily available and it leads to a general sense of mistrust and paranoia.
But there are serious ethical concerns about the implications of using someone’s likeness without their permission, remain. In 2021, realistic Deepfake videos of actor Tom Cruise went viral on social media platforms like TikTok.
These AI-generated videos featured a digital recreation of Tom Cruise performing various actions, like golfing or giving a magic trick demonstration. The quality was high enough to fool many viewers into believing they were watching the real Tom Cruise.
More recently, in March 2024, a deepfake of US President Joe Biden was used in a robocall to mislead voters in New Hampshire. Similarly, deepfakes have been used to create false narratives in sensitive social situations, such as cases of police violence, complicating the pursuit of justice for marginalized communities.
These incidents highlight the technology’s misuse and the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect the integrity and trust of public discourse.
The AI Challenge AI, ML, VR, AR, and robotics are not just technological advancements; they represent a significant shift in how we interact with our world and with each other. The very consistent criticism is that there is a violation of ethics, security, and privacy, and these are at the forefront of discussions.
Why would that be so? Have we been so focused on success that we have lost our sensitivity to the consequences or the impact of the outcomes? Job displacement due to automation and the societal impact of integrating these technologies into everyday life are real and already being felt.
There are critical considerations that have had far-reaching consequences. The development of AI in fields like surveillance and autonomous weaponry has raised significant moral questions. The hidden enemy becomes much more vicious.
In VR and AR, there are grave concerns about the psychological effects of prolonged use and the real risk of blurring the lines between reality and virtual experiences. In robotics, ethical challenges revolve around replacing human labour and the implications of human-robot interactions.
(Excerpted from Genome to Om: Evolving Journey of Modern Science to Meta-science. Published by BluOne Ink)
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