Around election periods, concerns regarding fraudulent or misleading advertising typically escalate, but 2024 presents a unique scenario due to two primary factors: the extensive proliferation of polls and the emergence of deep fakes generated by artificial intelligence.
Deepfake technology involves the creation of deceptive content, often leveraging AI to fabricate counterfeit images, particularly falsified videos featuring individuals, often accompanied by manipulated voice elements. Given that approximately half of the global population is gearing up for significant elections this year—encompassing countries like India, the US, the EU, and possibly the UK—the potential for these technologies to wreak havoc is substantial.
Below are some notable instances of deepfake creations, accompanied by insights into the process of generating fake imagery.
DeepDream’s fruit 2015
The inception of the deepfake phenomenon traces back to 2015 when Google introduced “DeepDream” through a blog post on “inceptionism.” This experimental venture involved tasking Google’s image team with producing images using neural network techniques originally designed for image recognition. The outcome, though surreal and less realistic, validated the efficacy of this innovative approach.
Celebrity encounter-transfers 2017
In 2017, the cutting-edge technology allowed for the modification of existing photos and videos using AI, paving the way for endeavors like face-swapping celebrities into explicit scenarios. The proliferation of such manipulated content, particularly in the realm of pornography, raised significant concerns, with reports indicating that a substantial number of deepfake tools facilitate the creation of such illicit content.
Jordan Peele/Obama video 2018
By mid-2018, advancements in face-swapping tools enabled their utilization as a creative medium. A notable example was a video by BuzzFeed featuring Jordan Peele impersonating Barack Obama seamlessly inserted into authentic footage of the former president, culminating in a thought-provoking message.
Dall-E’s avocado armchair 2021
The introduction of OpenAI’s Dall-E in 2021 marked a shift in the deepfake landscape, transitioning from face-swapping to generating entirely novel images based on textual prompts. While the initial results may have lacked photorealism, they showcased the potential for creating unique visual content, such as the intriguing avocado armchair.
Zelensky orders his side to surrender 2022⁄2023
The deepfake incident involving Volodymyr Zelensky during the Russia-Ukraine conflict exemplifies the rapid evolution of deepfake technology, with subsequent iterations exhibiting enhanced realism and persuasive capabilities. This progression underscores the concerning advancements in manipulated content dissemination and its potential impact on public perception.
The pope in a jacket from 2023
A significant milestone in generative AI was witnessed when a deepfake portrayed Pope Francis donning a Balenciaga jacket, exemplifying the convergence of creativity and realism achievable through AI systems. This instance highlighted the profound implications of generative AI on visual content creation and dissemination.
Trump and Black voters in 2024
The portrayal of Donald Trump interacting with Black individuals in a fabricated image underscores the manipulative potential of deepfakes in distorting the visual narrative, particularly within the realm of political propaganda. Such instances raise alarms about the deliberate use of deepfakes to influence public opinion and sway electoral outcomes.
Joe Biden robocalls 2024
Deceptive practices involving the unauthorized use of US President Joe Biden’s image and voice for political manipulation have surfaced, including instances of faked robocalls aimed at misleading voters. These incidents underscore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the misuse of AI technologies in electoral campaigns, prompting concerns about the integrity of democratic processes.
These instances collectively underscore the escalating challenges posed by deepfake technologies and the imperative to address their ethical and societal implications in the realm of media and politics.
