The world where you can no longer trust your eyes has already arrived. Videos of famous politicians saying scandalous things, celebrities participating in fake ads, “leaks” with supposedly real confessions — all of this may not be reality, but a product of deepfake. This technology has already changed the information space, and now society is faced with the question: how to maintain trust when lies become indistinguishable from the truth?
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What is deepfake?
Deepfake (from deep learning + fake) is a technology that allows you to create realistic fake audio and video content with the participation of real people. Deep learning (neural networks) is used, which analyzes the behavior, voice, facial expressions and features of a person’s movement in order to then recreate their behavior in the desired context — even if they themselves never did or said it.
How are deepfake videos created?
Technologically, deepfake is the result of generative neural networks, most often GAN (Generative Adversarial Networks). One algorithm creates a fake image or video, another checks it for plausibility. Gradually, the system learns to generate more and more convincing fakes.
In addition to this, the following are used:
Audio synthesizers to imitate a person’s voice with high accuracy.
Motion models to imitate characteristic gestures and facial expressions.
Large databases of images and videos for training the model.
Examples of using deepfake
Political manipulation.
In 2018, a fake video appeared with Barack Obama, in which he allegedly talks about the “dangers of fake news.” This video was created as a warning – but it looked so convincing that many took it for real.
Commercial deception.
Brands and bloggers became victims of deepfake advertising, where their faces were inserted into videos without permission.
Cybercrime.
In Germany, fraudsters generated the voice of a company director and demanded a transfer of funds on his behalf. The company lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Stars and scandals.
Celebrities regularly become the “heroes” of fake videos created for clickbait, black PR or even blackmail.
Why is this dangerous?
1. Loss of trust
When any video fact can be faked, trust in visual evidence disappears. This can be a disaster for journalism, the judicial system, education and historical accuracy.
2. Information warfare
Deepfakes are a powerful weapon in hybrid conflicts. Fakes can cause protests, panic, market collapses or even diplomatic crises.
3. Reputational losses
A person can be discredited by using his “image” in a compromising context. Even if the fake is exposed, the consequences may remain – the Internet “does not forget”.
4. Blackmail and cyberbullying
Deepfakes can be used to threaten, distribute fake intimate videos, and pressure individuals, especially women and public figures.
