Deepfakes and Disinformation: Can We Protect Ourselves?
I’ve been following the recent news about Microsoft’s claims that Russia is trying to smear Kamala Harris with deepfake videos and AI-generated content. It’s a topic that’s been getting a lot of attention online, with many people sharing their concerns and frustrations about the spread of disinformation.
As I was scrolling through the comments, I noticed a few recurring themes. Some people were expressing outrage and concern about the potential impact of deepfakes on our democratic processes. Others were more skeptical, pointing out that deepfakes are just the latest tool in a long history of propaganda and disinformation.
I think both perspectives are valid. On the one hand, deepfakes do have the potential to be incredibly damaging, especially if they’re used to spread misinformation about public figures or events. We’ve already seen examples of this in the past, where fake videos or audio recordings have been used to try and discredit or manipulate people.
On the other hand, I also think that people are underestimated if they think that just because something is a deepfake, or that it’s being spread by Russia or some other actor with an agenda, it will automatically be believed. Humans are pretty good at figuring out what’s real and what’s not, especially if they’re presented with accurate information and given the tools to evaluate it critically.
One of the biggest concerns I have is that this sort of disinformation could be especially effective among vulnerable populations, like older folks or people who may not have the critical thinking skills to evaluate this sort of information. I think it’s our responsibility as a society to support these individuals and provide them with the resources and tools they need to navigate this sort of landscape.
I’ve been thinking about this issue a lot lately, and one thing that’s become clear to me is that this is not just an American problem, it’s not just a Russian problem, but a global issue that needs to be tackled collectively. As a Melburnian, I’ve grown accustomed to seeing the world stage reflected in our own backyard - the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US presidential elections - all these events shape our understanding of our place in the world.
It’s crucial that we come together to combat disinformation and propagate fact-based understanding of the world, knowing when a message might be manipulated, and supporting voices that need to be amplified. Let’s build strong conversations, foster growth, spark important discussions. If there is one takeaway, it should be how fundamental awareness of digital realities must be encouraged on all levels of our social strata.