Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at a rapid pace, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. This is especially true for deepfakes.
AI deepfakes are deeply concerning due to their ability to deceive and manipulate information in ways that were previously unimaginable. These sophisticated creations blur the line between reality and fiction, eroding trust in visual and audio content.
Deepfakes can be used to fabricate false evidence, manipulate public opinion, and even blackmail individuals. The ease of access to AI technology means that anyone with a computer and internet connection can create convincing deepfakes, amplifying the potential for their malicious use.
Cayce Myers, a professor from Virginia Tech's School of Communication, has dedicated his research to studying this evolving technology and shares insights into the future of deep fakes and methods to detect them.
"Increasingly Difficult"
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to identify disinformation, particularly sophisticated AI generated deep fake," Myers said in a statement, reported by Virginia Tech.
"The cost barrier for generative AI is also so low that now almost anyone with a computer and internet has access to AI."
Myers predicts that in the coming years, we can expect a surge in disinformation, both visual and written. He emphasizes the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills for users to discern the truth behind any claim.
The researcher noted that recognizing and understanding warning signs of disinformation will be crucial in combating its spread.
While traditional image manipulation tools like Photoshop have been used for years, Myers highlights the key distinctions between them and AI-generated disinformation, namely the sophistication and scale of deception.
Myers said that while Photoshop enables the creation of fake images, AI can generate altered videos that are highly convincing. Given the prevalence of disinformation as a source of online content, these types of fake news can reach a much wider audience, especially if they go viral.
Myers underscores the shared responsibility in combatting disinformation, both on an individual and corporate level. Individuals must scrutinize sources, exhibit caution in sharing information online, and develop a critical eye for recognizing disinformation.
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Personal Efforts Will Not Suffice
However, Myers acknowledges that personal efforts alone will not suffice. AI content producers and social media platforms, where disinformation often proliferates, must also take action to implement safeguards and prevent the widespread dissemination of AI-generated disinformation.
Regulating AI is currently a topic of discussion at the federal, state, and local levels in the United States. Lawmakers are grappling with various issues associated with AI, with disinformation, bias, intellectual property infringement, and privacy at the forefront of these concerns.
"The issue is that lawmakers do not want to create a new law regulating AI before we know where the technology is going. Creating a law too fast can stifle AI's development and growth, creating one too slow may open the door for a lot of potential problems. Striking a balance will be a challenge," Myers said.
As AI continues to advance, the challenge of identifying and combating deepfakes becomes increasingly daunting, highlighting the urgent need for improved detection methods and regulatory measures to mitigate their harmful impact.
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