We all know the existence of deepfake technology but recently there has been many articles about how people have misused deepfake. Some examples are: revenge, p0rnography, political agendas, spreading of misinformation, defamation, etc.
Deepfake was a term coined for synthetic media in 2017 and its technology has only improved since then. So why is this technology still around and why is it not banned if there are so many disadvantages?
Deepfake technology has the potential to revolutionize many industries and bring about a number of benefits. Here are some of the potential benefits of deepfakes:
1. Enhanced creativity and storytelling: Deepfakes can be used to create hyper-realistic content that would be impossible or impractical to produce using traditional methods. This can open up new possibilities for filmmakers, artists, and other creative professionals. For example, deepfakes could be used to create historical dramas featuring actors who are no longer alive, or to bring fictional characters to life in a more realistic way.
2. Personalized marketing and education: Deepfakes can be used to personalize marketing messages and educational materials. For example, a company could use deepfakes to create personalized video ads that feature a customer’s favorite celebrity endorsing the product. Or, a school could use deepfakes to create interactive simulations that help students learn about complex concepts.
3. Improved accessibility and inclusivity: Deepfakes can be used to make content more accessible to people with disabilities. For example, deepfakes could be used to sign language interpretation into videos, or to create audio descriptions of images and videos for people who are blind. Deepfakes could also be used to make content more inclusive, by allowing people to see themselves represented in a wider variety of roles and situations.
4. Enhanced language learning: Deepfakes can be used to create immersive language learning experiences. For example, a language learner could use deepfakes to watch a movie or TV show in their target language with the voices of actors they recognize. This could help them to learn the language more quickly and effectively.
5. Preservation of historical and cultural artifacts: Deepfakes can be used to preserve historical and cultural artifacts. For example, deepfakes could be used to restore old films and videos, or to create virtual reality experiences that allow people to visit historical landmarks.
Deepfake technology, while having potential benefits, also raises concerns about its potential misuse and negative impacts. Disadvantages of deepfakes include:
1. Misinformation and Manipulation: Deepfakes can be used to create and spread misinformation, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake content. This can be used to manipulate public opinion, influence elections, and damage reputations. For instance, deepfakes could be used to create fake videos of politicians making false statements or celebrities endorsing products they have never used.
2. Erosion of Trust: As deepfakes become more sophisticated and difficult to detect, they can erode public trust in digital media, making it harder to verify the authenticity of information. This can lead to increased skepticism and cynicism, and a decline in the overall quality of online information.
3. Privacy Violations: Deepfakes can be used to create non-consensual pornography or other harmful content featuring individuals’ faces or voices without their permission. This can cause significant emotional distress and damage to individuals’ reputations. Deepfakes can also be used to impersonate individuals to access sensitive information or engage in fraudulent activities.
4. Criminal Activities: Deepfakes can facilitate criminal activities such as fraud, blackmail, and extortion. For example, deepfakes could be used to create fake videos of CEOs making false announcements to manipulate stock prices or to blackmail individuals with compromising images or videos.
5. Social Disruption: Deepfakes can be used to sow discord and social unrest by spreading misinformation, inciting violence, or undermining trust in institutions. For instance, deepfakes could be used to create fake videos of religious leaders making inflammatory statements or to spread false rumors about political figures.
It is crucial to develop safeguards and ethical guidelines to ensure that deepfakes are used responsibly and to minimize their potential for harm. This includes developing detection technologies, raising public awareness about deepfakes, and establishing clear legal and ethical frameworks for their use.
It goes without saying that there are more regulatory boundaries we have to explore as the technology improves, which is evident in India, Virginia, United Kingdom. However, it is not enough to just ban the technology taking into account the benefits it presents. As a growing society it does not send a good message if we only ban new technology, this could hinder growth or even create more wayward behaviour in people.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/deepfake
https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/01/2328459/
https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/22/deepfake-tech-takes-on-satellite-maps/
https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/02/microsoft-launches-a-deepfake-detector-tool-ahead-of-us-election/
https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/16/facebook-zelensky-deepfake/
https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/25/deepfake-porn-revenge-porn-uk-law-change/
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/21/south-park-creators-deepfake-video-startup-deep-voodoo-conjures-20m-in-new-funding/
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/01/deepfake-revenge-porn-is-now-illegal-in-virginia/
https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/03/how-an-ai-deepfake-ad-of-mrbeast-ended-up-on-tiktok/
https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/26/generative-ai-disinformation-risks/
https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/22/india-seeks-to-regulate-deepfakes-amid-ethical-concerns/
AI used: Bard
Prompts into AI:
Advantages and disadvantages of deepfakes