Deepfakes Explained: How they're made, how to spot them & are they dangerous? | Explained

Summary

Deepfakes, using AI to manipulate video and audio, have evolved from movie magic to accessible tech for anyone. This script explores their potential for humor and misinformation, highlighting past uses in films and the ethical concerns of spreading false narratives. It discusses the advancements in technology, making deepfakes increasingly realistic and difficult to detect, and the importance of critical thinking and media literacy to discern truth in the digital age.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Deepfakes are advanced video and audio manipulations that can replace faces or put characters in unusual scenarios.
• 🎬 Facial recognition technology has been used in major films like 'Star Wars Rogue One' and 'Fast and the Furious 7' for recreating characters.
• 👤 Hao Li, a pioneer in the field, highlights the evolution of deepfake technology from complex processes to accessible tools for anyone.
• 🤖 Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in deepfakes by mapping faces using fed data, enabling face swapping and lip-syncing.
• 📉 The ease of creating deepfakes has increased significantly, with the time to produce them reduced to weeks for just a few seconds of video.
• 🌐 The accessibility of deepfake technology raises concerns about misinformation and harassment, impacting individuals and society.
• 🗳️ Deepfakes pose a significant risk in political scenarios, potentially swaying elections by misrepresenting candidates' actions or words.
• 🔊 New voice technology like Lyrebird can create voice imprints, further enhancing the realism of deepfakes.
• 📈 The number of deepfake videos online has doubled in less than a year, indicating rapid growth and proliferation.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Deeptrace, a cybersecurity company, uses deep learning to detect deepfake videos, emphasizing the need for advanced detection methods.
• 🧐 Media literacy and critical thinking are essential for the public to discern the authenticity of videos and avoid falling for deepfakes.

Q & A

What is the primary application of deepfakes technology?

Deepfakes technology is primarily used for video and audio manipulation, such as swapping faces onto other bodies, creating humorous or unrealistic scenarios, and even bringing characters back to life in films.

How was facial recognition technology used in 'Star Wars Rogue One'?

In 'Star Wars Rogue One', facial recognition technology was used to make the actress playing Carrie Fisher appear the same age she was in the original film and to digitally recreate Peter Cushing as General Tarkin, despite his passing.

What role did Hao Li play in the production of 'Furious 7'?

Hao Li worked on 'Furious 7' to map Paul Walker's face onto his brothers' bodies after Walker's untimely death during the film's production, allowing the movie to be completed.

How has the process of creating deepfakes evolved from 2015 to the present?

The process of creating deepfakes has become significantly easier and faster, with the need for fewer reference photos and less specialized expertise, thanks to advancements in AI and deep learning.

What are some potential negative implications of deepfakes technology?

Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation, harass individuals by making it seem like they've done or said something they haven't, and manipulate public opinion, which is particularly concerning in the context of politics and elections.

Can you provide an example of a deepfake video involving a political figure?

One well-known example is a deepfake video made by BuzzFeed featuring former US President Barack Obama. It demonstrated the potential for deepfakes to mislead the public and influence opinions.

What is the technology behind Lyrebird, and how does it work?

Lyrebird is a Canadian technology that creates an imprint of someone's voice. Users need to say a few scripted lines into the program, and it generates a complete copy of their voice, which can be used to make deepfake audio.

How is the advancement of deepfake technology changing the ease of creating such videos?

The advancement of deepfake technology is making it easier to create videos with higher quality and fewer reference materials. For instance, some deepfakes can now be made from just one photo or even a painting.

What is the role of media literacy in the context of deepfakes?

Media literacy is crucial for educating people to think critically about the content they consume, to assess the credibility of sources, and to use contextual information to discern the truth in an era where visual scrutiny alone may not be reliable.

What measures can be taken to protect against the misuse of deepfake technology?

Lawmakers and social media platforms need to establish regulations and mechanisms for misuse deterrence, better fact-checking, and flagging suspicious content to prevent the spread of deepfakes and protect individuals from defamation.

How did the situation in Gabon highlight the importance of critical thinking skills?

In Gabon, a video of the missing president was accused of being a deepfake, leading to an attempted coup and loss of life. An investigation later found no evidence of tampering, illustrating the need for critical thinking before sharing or acting on information.