The 2024 US presidential election is shaping up to be a contentious one. With deepfakes becoming increasingly sophisticated and realistic, there is a growing concern that they could be used to manipulate voters and undermine democracy.
Deepfakes are artificial intelligence-generated videos or audio recordings that can be used to make it appear as if someone is saying or doing something they never did. In the context of the upcoming election, deepfakes could be used to smear candidates, spread misinformation, or even sway undecided voters.
For example, a deepfake could be created showing a candidate making a racist or sexist remark. Or, a deepfake could be used to put words in a candidate’s mouth about their policies or positions on important issues.
The potential impact of deepfakes on the election is significant. Deepfakes can be very convincing, and it can be difficult for people to tell the difference between a real video and a deepfake. This could lead to voters making decisions based on false information.
So, what can be done to mitigate the threat of deepfakes in the election?
- Tech companies need to develop better tools for detecting and removing deepfakes. This is an ongoing challenge, but there has been some progress in recent years.
- Voters need to be media literate. This means being aware of the existence of deepfakes and being critical of the information they see online.
- Journalists and news organizations need to be vigilant about deepfakes. They need to be able to identify deepfakes and report on them accurately.
Deepfakes are a serious threat to democracy, but they are not an insurmountable one. By working together, we can take steps to mitigate the risk of deepfakes being used to influence the outcome of the 2024 election.
In addition to the points above, it is also important to consider the role of social media platforms in the spread of deepfakes. Social media platforms need to take steps to prevent the spread of deepfakes on their platforms. This could include working with fact-checkers to identify and debunk deepfakes, as well as developing algorithms that can detect deepfakes automatically.
Ultimately, the responsibility for addressing the threat of deepfakes lies with all of us. By being aware of the dangers of deepfakes and taking steps to mitigate them, we can help to ensure that the 2024 election is free and fair.
This story is inspired by a story in Marketplace, “What if your deepfake was circulating halfway across the world in China?”, published on June 21, 2024.