In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has experienced massive advancements in the realm of image manipulation. Now, a new form of image generation technology is enabling anyone to create highly realistic deepfakes, with very little difficulty.
Deepfakes are fake, but realistic-looking images of someone that are created using AI. They are created by combining and blending existing images with artificial data and can be used to manipulate the appearance of individuals in videos, photos, and audio.
This technology has been a source of great concern among many, as the potential risks of these deepfakes are enormous. In many cases, these fake images are used maliciously to spread false information, create malicious disinformation, or distort one’s reputation.
The technology is becoming increasingly more accessible and easy to use, so anyone with the right tools and knowledge can easily create a deepfake. The advancement in technology has made deepfakes so human-like and believable they cannot be rejected as “fake news”. Even a single deepfake can cause incredible damage and carve a lasting impact on the life of a person, not to mention the risks of deepfakes in politics and public policy.
To combat this dangerous technology, governments and tech companies are now taking steps to combat deepfakes. A variety of sophisticated tools have already been developed to detect deepfakes, but more needs to be done to ensure their accuracy and efficacy. Additionally, legal regulations must be established to discourage people from creating deepfakes, as well as to punish those who do use create and distribute them maliciously.
Despite this, deepfakes remain a formidable threat as image generation technology continue to develop and evolve. With ease of use and access, it is becoming increasingly important for users to maintain a level of media literacy and to be mindful of the content they consume online. We must be aware of the potential risks of this type of AI-generated images, and work to ensure that those who create malicious deepfakes are held accountable.
