How AI and deepfakes are changing politics | BBC News

Summary

Pop star Taylor Swift and politicians like US President Joe Biden and London's Mayor Sadiq Khan have been victims of deep fakes, sowing mistrust. New York City Mayor Eric Adams used deep fakes for robocalls, raising concerns about authenticity and trust. Experts warn of the technology's potential to undermine trust in government and institutions, with global examples including India, Indonesia, and Argentina where deep fakes have been used in political campaigns.

Takeaways

• 🎤 **Taylor Swift and politicians like Joe Biden have been victims of deep fakes.**
• 👮 **Deep fakes have been used to create fake explicit images and audio recordings.**
• 📢 **London's mayor and other politicians have been impersonated through deep fakes.**
• 🚨 **Deep fakes are spreading mistrust and blurring the line between reality and fiction.**
• 🗽 **New York City Mayor Eric Adams used deep fake technology for robocalls in multiple languages.**
• 📱 **The use of deep fakes by politicians is increasing globally.**
• 🌐 **Deep fakes are not just a Western issue; they are a global phenomenon.**
• 🔎 **Experts warn that the normalization of deep fakes can undermine trust in government and institutions.**
• 🚫 **The mayor's office declined an interview but stated NYC will continue to use AI responsibly.**
• 📊 **With billions voting globally this year, the stakes are high in distinguishing political facts from fakes.**

Q & A

What is a deep fake?

A deep fake is a synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness using AI-powered tools. It can also refer to audio recordings that haven't happened, all created to sow mistrust and blur the lines between reality and malicious fiction.

Why are deep fakes concerning?

Deep fakes are concerning because they can spread misinformation, create distrust, and manipulate public opinion, especially when used maliciously or without proper disclosure.

Who are some public figures mentioned in the script that have been victims of deep fakes?

The script mentions Taylor Swift, US President Joe Biden, UK labor leader Keir Starmer, and London's mayor Sadiq Khan as victims of deep fakes.

What is the role of social media in the spread of deep fakes?

Social media platforms have become a breeding ground for the rapid spread of deep fakes, as they allow for easy dissemination of content to a wide audience.

How did New York City Mayor Eric Adams use deep fake technology?

Mayor Eric Adams used deep fake technology to make a series of automated or robocalls to NYC residents, promoting the hiring of city-owned venues, and he was able to speak in various languages using the technology.

What concerns does Albert Fox Khan have about the use of deep fake technology by politicians?

Albert Fox Khan, a civil rights and privacy campaigner, believes that the use of deep fake technology by politicians sets a dangerous precedent and can be alarming as it normalizes the use of such technology, potentially undermining trust in government and institutions.

What has been the global impact of deep fake technology in politics?

The global impact includes instances in India where a BJP candidate used deep fakes to speak regional dialects, in Indonesia where a deceased leader was synthetically resurrected to endorse a candidate, and in Argentina where candidates used AI-generated images to depict their opponents negatively.

What are the potential consequences of politicians using deep fake technology?

The potential consequences include increasing distrust in media and politicians, undermining the authenticity of political communication, and potentially influencing election outcomes.

How has the mayor's office responded to concerns about the use of deep fake technology?

The mayor's office declined an interview request but Mayor Eric Adams has publicly stated that New York City will continue to use AI and will not abuse it.

What is the estimated number of people voting in elections globally this year, as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions an estimate of 2 billion people voting in elections across the globe this year.

What is the main concern regarding the increasing use of deep fakes in political communication?

The main concern is that it could lead to a high volume of political communication that is not trustworthy, which in turn could erode public confidence in the political process and institutions.