From politics to porn: will 2024 be the year in which deepfake fears ...
Generative AI poses risks that further erode public discourse, undermines political accountability, and contributes to 'information rot'. Concerns about deepfakes, which are artificially generated or manipulated material depicting events that never occurred, have long been associated with political deepfake panic. This technology was notably used to impersonate Obama calling Trump a “complete dipshit” as early as 2018.
Various media outlets have highlighted the potential threats of political deepfakes to public discourse, truth, and democracy. The worries surrounding deepfakes have resurfaced in Australia following the posting of an AI-generated video of Queensland premier, Steven Miles, on TikTok by the Liberal National party. Despite being labeled as AI-generated, the video exhibits telltale signs such as blurring features and unnatural movements.
The Rise of Deepfakes in Politics
While the existential danger to democracy posed by political deepfakes has not fully materialized, their prevalence appears to be increasing. Instances such as the use of AI-generated voice imitating Joe Biden in robocalls to dissuade voters and the viral spread of deepfake videos of Kamala Harris on TikTok illustrate this trend.
Some entities have leveraged generative AI for their own benefit. For instance, in 2020, deepfakes were introduced in Indian election campaigns to alter videos of a minister speaking in different languages. This year, a Melbourne Labor councillor utilized AI to produce campaign songs in various musical styles and languages for targeted Facebook advertisements.
The Impending Impact of Deepfakes
As generative AI tools become more widespread, the year 2024 has been earmarked as a potential turning point where the electoral impact of deepfakes could be realized. Professor Mark Andrejevic emphasizes that beyond the technology itself, the shift towards politics as entertainment and the erosion of shared truths is a significant concern.
Amidst a degraded information ecosystem and rampant mis- and disinformation online, deepfake technology adds to the challenges faced in maintaining factual information. The commercialization of media platforms prioritizing engagement over accuracy further exacerbates this issue.
The Dystopian Future of Deepfakes
Looking ahead, the convergence of increasingly sophisticated deepfakes and targeted advertising fueled by surveillance capitalism raises ethical and legal concerns. The potential for personalized political deepfake campaigns tailored to exploit individual vulnerabilities based on personal data is unsettling.
Overall, while the immediate threat of deepfakes toppling democracy may be low, they symbolize and contribute to a broader deterioration of public discourse in a fragile media environment and toxic political climate, ultimately leading to "information rot". The ethical, legal, and societal implications of deepfakes are complex and warrant careful consideration and regulation to mitigate their harmful effects.
