AI Deepfakes & Fake News

In a fast-changing online world, AI deepfake technology makes it harder to tell what is real and what is fake. Deepfake videos, images, and audio clips use artificial intelligence to create false news that spreads incorrect information quickly.

Learning how these AI-generated deepfakes work and how to spot them is important for staying safe online.

What are deepfakes?

Deepfakes are AI-generated content made with machine learning. A deepfake AI generator can take a real person’s face and put it on someone else’s body. It can also make people appear to say things they never actually said. 

Deepfake video AI is often used to spread fake news, impersonation scams, and misleading content on social media. These deepfake videos use algorithms that study real videos and then create new, fake ones that look real.

Examples of deepfakes & misleading AI-generated content

Deepfakes and news reports about false information are more common than ever. Here are some examples:

• Fake political videos: Deepfake videos of public figures can make it seem like they said things they never did. These AI-generated videos can mislead voters during elections and spread false news.

• Financial scams: AI fake news has been used to promote fake investments. Scammers have deepfaked news stories to trick people into giving away their money.

• Fake images and videos: Some AI-generated images and videos make it look like celebrities or influencers are endorsing products they have never used. This false information spreads quickly on social media.

• Cheapfakes: Unlike deepfake technology, cheapfakes are made by editing real videos using simple tools instead of AI. However, they can still trick people and spread fake news.

How to spot deepfakes

Deepfake news and fake video content can be hard to detect, but here are some tips:

• Look for strange movements: AI-generated faces may not blink naturally, and expressions might seem stiff or unnatural.

• Watch for lip-syncing issues: In deepfake videos, a person’s face and expressions may not perfectly match the words being spoken.

• Listen for audio problems: AI-generated voices can have odd pauses, robotic tones, or unusual speech patterns.

• Check the source: Fake news detection starts with checking where the content came from. Be cautious if it is from an unknown website or social media account.

• Use tools: Companies like Adobe, Microsoft, and OpenAI are making deepfake detection tools to help spot false information. Some apps can also help with deepfake detection.

• Look for bad lighting and shadows: AI-generated images may have shadows or lighting that does not match the rest of the scene. This can be a clue that an image is fake.

What to do if you suspect a deepfake

If you think you have found deepfaked news or false information:

• Do not share it: Sharing false news spreads disinformation and makes the problem worse.

• Report it: Social media platforms such as Meta allow users to report misleading AI-generated content.

• Check trusted sources: Major news outlets, including those out of major cities like New York, cover the latest AI news and can help confirm what is real. Fact-checking websites and online initiatives are also useful.

• Be careful with viral content: False news spreads fast. If something seems too shocking 

• or strange, it could be AI-generated.

How to spot audio deepfakes

Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered voice cloning to impersonate loved ones in distress, tricking victims into sending money. For instance, in the Cayman Islands, there have been reports of individuals receiving urgent calls from family members, purportedly in emergencies, pleading for financial assistance. These sophisticated scams highlight the need to be able to tell what deepfake audio sounds like.

Here’s how to recognise deepfake audio made by AI:

• Pay attention to tone and rhythm: AI-generated voices can sound flat or have an unusual rhythm.

• Listen for background noise: If someone is speaking but there are no natural background sounds, it could be AI-generated.

• Watch for mispronunciations: AI-generated content may struggle with difficult words or names, leading to strange pronunciations.

• Compare with real recordings: If you are unsure, compare the suspicious audio with a confirmed real recording.

Staying aware

Deepfake fake news and AI-generated images are becoming increasingly common. With the use of AI, false information can spread quickly, making it harder to know what is true. By improving media literacy, following the latest AI news, and using deepfake detection tools, we can stop the spread of disinformation and protect ourselves from scams and misleading content.