Deepfakes: What are they and how are they changing our world?

The term “deepfake” has been making headlines in recent years. Deepfake is a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic but fake videos or images. The basic principle of operation is the use of deep learning algorithms that process huge amounts of data and can synthesize new images or videos based on them.

Deepfakes are most often used to replace faces in videos or change speech, making it appear to the user that a real person is saying or doing something that did not actually happen.

Deepfakes are typically created using neural networks such as generative adversarial networks (GANs). These networks consist of two parts: a generator that creates fake images, and a discriminator that tries to distinguish them from real ones. The process continues until the discriminator can no longer distinguish the fake from the original, resulting in extremely believable fakes.

Despite their negative reputation, deepfakes can be used legally and can be useful in a variety of fields. One example of a legitimate use of deepfakes is in film making. Directors can “resurrect” actors who have already passed away or introduce a younger version of an aged artist. This was done, for example, with Peter Cushing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or with Carrie Fisher, whose deepfake played Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Rise of Sky walker. This technology allows for the visual identity of characters to be preserved and avoids the use of stunt doubles.

Deepfakes can also be used to create realistic simulations for educational purposes, such as training medical professionals or security personnel. Such simulations can simulate complex scenarios that would be difficult to replicate in real life.

But, unfortunately, deepfakes are also often used for illegal and unethical purposes, which creates a number of serious problems. It is not surprising that the first use of deepfakes was to create fake pornography, where a visual image of a real person was inserted into a real video.

Deepfakes can also be used by scammers and cyber criminals to create fake videos for the purpose of deception or extortion. For example, there have been several cases where scammers used a deepfake voice call to trick a company director into transferring a large amount of money, believing that he was speaking to his boss. The fake was so good that no one suspected the deception until it was too late.

The emergence of deepfakes has raised concerns about their impact on society. The most serious threat is the potential for disinformation to spread. In a world where trusting your eyes is no longer enough, trust in information is becoming a key issue. In politics, deepfakes can be used to create false statements on behalf of prominent politicians or public figures. Such videos can be used to undermine reputations and manipulate public opinion.

Another concern is privacy and security. Deepfakes can be used to create compromising material that can cause irreparable damage to a person’s or company’s reputation.