Deepfakes and their multi-faceted impact – a closer look with AI and data visualization

Deepfakes, propelled by advancements in artificial intelligence, can create hyper-realistic yet wholly fabricated videos and images. These deepfakes not only challenge our perception of reality but also pose significant risks on individual, corporate, and governmental levels.

Here’s a technical overview. Deepfakes employ neural networks trained on thousands of photographs and voice samples to generate incredibly lifelike fake content. With the advent of new algorithms, the complexity extends to whole-head synthesis, joint audiovisual synthesis, and even full-body synthesis.

Ethical and legal aspects:

• Deepfakes initially gained notoriety for their use in malicious activities, ranging from personal defamation to political manipulation. The legal and ethical considerations associated with these technologies are manifold, given their potential for social and individual harm...