Unmasking Reality: The Rise of Deepfakes and What You Need to Know
The word “deepfake” describes media that has been either artificially made or altered using artificial intelligence technology. Deepfake technology creates videos where your face or body is digitally manipulated, making you look like someone entirely different.
AI algorithms, are able to analyze and mimic your appearance and voice. These systems are trained on an array of data, including videos and images of you, enabling them to understand your facial expressions, movements, and vocal patterns. With this information, the AI can generate new, realistic media that depicts you saying or doing things you never actually did. The widespread use of deepfakes complicates the ability to trust the authenticity of videos and audio recordings.
There are ongoing efforts to develop tools that can detect deepfakes. Advanced algorithms are being developed to detect deepfakes by analyzing inconsistencies in videos and images and identify signs of manipulation, such as unnatural movements, inconsistent lighting, and irregularities in facial features.
Being aware of the existence of deepfakes and approaching media content is critical. There are several ways to protect yourself against deepfakes.
- Avoid sharing too much about yourself on social media platforms.
- If you receive an unexpected call from someone asking for personal information or requesting money, hang up and call that person directly using a reliable method.
- Any content you see online that makes you feel a strong emotion – anger, fear, disbelief – is a red flag.
- Make sure you are media literate and use good quality news sources.
- Have good basic protocols – “trust but verify”.
Deepfakes represent a powerful technology that can be used for both creative and malicious purposes. Staying informed and cautious about the media you consume, and share is crucial in this digital age. Check out the links below to learn more.
Synthetic Media: How deepfakes could soon change our world
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deepfake-artificial-intelligence-60-minutes-2021-10-10/
Understanding Deepfakes: What Older Adults Need to Know
https://www.ncoa.org/article/understanding-deepfakes-what-older-adults-need-to-know/
Let’s be careful out there!
The PJ Networks Team
