Deepfakes

In the age of fake news and the spread of misinformation, it is of little surprise that the phenomenon known as “Deepfake” has established itself. Defined as “A video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else” by Oxford Dictionary, Deepfakes are not necessarily new or unknown, at least not to those of us using social media and internet everyday. More widely, Deepfakes are not only videos, but images and audios that, while seemingly convincingly real, are AI – manipulated fabrications.[1]

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While to the majority of us Deepfakes are known as “harmless memes or clever marketing campaigns”, the consequences of Deepfakes may be disturbing, varying from spread of disinformation, to cyberattacks, and reputational damage.[2]  Various forms of Deepfakes have already infiltrated social media as well, with multiple TikTok accounts emerging and mimicking famous actors or political figures.

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Not only that, but advanced Deepfake technologies provide criminals with the ability to alter not only the political, but personal narrative as well. As Deepfakes first caught the public’s eye due to altered pornographic materials distributed on Reddit, it is merely a surprise that such content may be used in cases of revenge porn, falsified claims, and may even result in domestic violence.[3] As is discussed by Kweilin T. Lucas, Deepfake technology poses a risk of domestic violence, as Deepfakes may be used to threaten, blackmail, and further abuse the victims.

However, it does not just end at that – in the span of the last few years, Deepfakes have grown extraordinary, going way beyond from face-swapping to whole-head, audiovisual, and even whole-body synthesis, meaning that it can recreate movements, voices, and much more.[4] . Similarly,  as Deepfake technology is still in its infancy, it is difficult to predict how dangerous and realistic they may become in the future.[5]

So, one may question – if the existence and accessibility of DNN may cause such issues, why are there no legislations prohibiting the use of it? Well, certain states have already made aspects of Deepfakes, such as creation and exhibition of pornographic materials or manipulation of images of political figures, illegal. Similarly, not only are cyber-security companies working on detection algorithms, people themselves can detect certain signs of Deepfakes, including but not limited to shifts of lights, colors, strange blinking, and jerky movements.[6]

Not only are there tell-tale signs and laws, the existence of Deepfakes comes with a set of advantages that may be hard to ignore. While imposing human features and manipulating sounds may seem off-putting at first, actor Val Kilmer’s son certainly didn’t seem to mind, when a Deepfake technology allowed him to hear his father’s voice again.[7]

Similarly, Deepfakes may be used to break down linguistic barriers, as can be seen in the video below, in which David Beckham is able to pass his message in nine different languages:

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Alongisde all of it, Deepfakes may simply be fun. Recreating pictures next to famous actors or being able to look into the loved one’s eyes once more – things that once were impossible are within the reach of the hand with the help of Deepfake technology.

Thus, Deepfakes come in a shape of a double sided coin – while it may result in increase of revenge porn, manipulation, and violence, it may also create room for communication, create abilities to speak – and listen – as well as take one more look at those who have deceased.

The digital world, therefore, brings more and more questions everyday. It is difficult to pick between what’s good or what’s bad, but it is crucial to remember that there may always be an in-between.

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[1] https://www.simplilearn.com/role-of-ai-in-identifying-deepfakes-article

[2] https://www.simplilearn.com/role-of-ai-in-identifying-deepfakes-article

[3] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/detecting-deepfakes1/

[4] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/detecting-deepfakes1/

[5] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15564886.2022.2036656?journalCode=uvao20

[6] https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/protect-yourself-from-deep-fake

[7] https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2022/02/article_0003.html

When the border of reality blurs…

With the growth of technology and the rise of the internet, various types of Artificial Intelligence have infiltrated almost every step of our digital life, ranging everywhere from unlocking mobile phones using face ID to carefully curated Facebook, Instagram, and other social media feeds. Little (or, arguably, quite significant) traces of AI can be found in almost everything when it comes to digital media and technology. However, the widespread concern and fear related to the AI, and most commonly the idea of sentient Artificial Intelligence, remain some of the most haunting and torturing aspects of tech. Thus, one may wonder – if traces of Artificial Intelligence can be found almost everywhere, including everyday gadgets and easily accessible media, how come the fear of AI is so deeply engrained into our minds?

All in all, the fear and anxiety surrounding the unknown are considered to be some of the basic biological emotions experienced by all humans to a certain extent.[1]  Most of the everyday people, myself included, have very little accurate knowledge regarding the development and the power of Artificial Intelligence. Similarly, commonly found misrepresentations of AI in easily accessible media, such as movies, books, or even online posts, serve as a constant reminder of just how little proven data we encounter in our daily lives.

Little does it help to know that people closely related to the world of tech, have their own fears and anxieties surrounding AI. As Stephen Hawking, a household name perhaps in the entire world, has once stated – the growth of Artificial Intelligence “could spell the end of the human race”. [2]Not only that, but as Blake Lemoine, a google engineer himself, has recognized and shared his experience as well as fears regarding the existence of sentient AI, it is of no surprise that people with little actual knowledge easily develop feelings of fear and distrust.[3]

The lack of shared, basic-level understanding of Artificial Intelligence, thus, serves as an enhancer for some of the most humane emotions – anxiety, confusion, distrust. Connected with popular media representation – such as movies “The Matrix” or “The Blade Runner”,  feelings of general anxiety tend to turn to feelings of fear. Similarly, as the ethics and consequences of widespread use of Artificial Intelligence are not known, most people end up with more questions than answers.

Likewise, the “What ifs..” of artificial intelligence are not unknown. What if it becomes sentient or what if it becomes weaponised? What if it takes over or what if leaves people unemployed? However, many tend to forget that just like all other technology, Artificial Intelligence can be viewed through a variety of different lenses. Thus, instead of fearing it, perhaps it’s time to ask – what if the use of Artificial Intelligence allows disabled people to live their lives to the fullest? What if it raises efficiency and makes day-to-day tasks much easier, like it already does through the use of a variety of household gadgets?

Thus, I invite you all to join me on my journey  through a variety of themes and posts to figure out the use Artificial Intelligence in our day-to-day lives, figure out its potential in digital media, and combat the overall fears surrounding the existence – and use – of AI!

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[1] Fear of the unknown

[2] Why are people scared of AI?

[3] Google Engineer on His Sentient AI Claim

Fear of the AI – a valid concern or just a common misrepresentation?

The skies are full in Albert Robida’s “Leaving the Opera in the Year 2000,” published in 1882.

Leaving the Opera in the Year 2000

To many, algorithms and Artificial Intelligence are just simple terms used in the tech and internet world, having little to no actual meaning. The main difference between said two, according to Kaya Ismail, is that algorithm is “a set of instructions”, whereas AI is a group of algorithms, capable of change, adaptation, and growth, hence the term “intelligence”.[1] To put it more simply, Dr. Mousavi argues that people should see the relations between AI and algorithms as the relationship between cars and flying cars. With AI, you do not tell computer what to do – it determines the most likely and common course of action itself.[2]

![Leaving the Opera in the Year 2000](//images.ctfassets.net/khspnje3w1gv/69eFyo8mPoRDMohlU29jIy/a309efbdb961ddc3900be1ad796371c5/d95b509f-4de3-40f1-a6d9-a817482a1394.jpg)

However, even the first AI started as nothing more but an idea and an algorithm. Thus, one may wonder – how does a simple algorithm develop into something so great and grandiose as the concept of Artificial Intelligence?

At the wake of the Second World War, an accelerator for many technological developments, the desire to understand the functioning of machines as well as organic beings became stronger than ever. While the term “Artificial Intelligence” only came a few years later, the beginning of 1960’s marked the transition from decimal logic to binary logic, which heavily relies on Boolean Algebra and, thus, deals with chains of 0 and 1.[3]

The term Artificial intelligence only came a few years later, and was defined as:

>“the construction of computer programs that engage in tasks that are currently more satisfactorily performed by human beings because they require high-level mental processes such as: perceptual learning, memory organization and critical reasoning.”

>-Marvin Minsky.

While the term Artificial Intelligence didn’t stick for too long at first – due to minimal memory of the machines and difficulties using computer language – traits of the first AI can be found almost everywhere nowadays. [4] Something that once started as a simple concept in a room of six people, eventually became the first chatbot, the first computer to beat a world chess champions, and grew to be a part of our everyday lives, including our mobile phones, social media, and much more.[5]

![History of AI](//images.ctfassets.net/khspnje3w1gv/2pLUmpTZLhgXrs1R7KMzLF/e0a24dde6f86cc2c29beb3716341b181/Picture1.png)

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is deployed almost everywhere, including transportation, healthcare, and education. Similarly, we often encounter it in our daily lives, whether we use smart home applications or just scroll through our social media feeds.[6] Further, AI is becoming more popular than ever before – google maps become more accurate, home assistants – smarter. Not only that, but the use of social media has turned the public eye towards the more personal capabilities of AI as well, such as creating online art or chatting with hyper-realistic chatbots.

Thus, one may question – if AI has come so far, what are its limits and potential? While no one can know exactly, the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence seem to be endless. In the near future, it is suspected that AI will poise a significant effect on sustainability, climate change, and environmental issues. It is hoped that through a variety of sophisticated AI sensors, cities will become less polluted and more livable. [7]

However, that’s not the end of it. While many fear the idea of conscious AI due to popular representation, there is still much to learn about what the growth of it could really mean. Perhaps not in the near, but certainly in the future, significant developments of Artificial Intelligence could truly personalize medicine,[8] enhance cybersecurity, and maximize efficiency as well as other aspects of our lives.[9]

Thus, while there are certain risks involved, – such as bad people using AI for bad things – the use of AI invites everyone to enjoy a plethora of advantages as well. Similarly, while some people fear the idea of sentient artificial intelligence, it is still a long way to come and Artificial Intelligence continues to require a human touch.[10]

The future of Artificial Intelligence – and, consequently, the world – is bright, promising, and will undoubtedly change the world. With, or without, us.

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[1] https://www.cmswire.com/information-management/ai-vs-algorithms-whats-the-difference/

[2] https://www.cmswire.com/information-management/ai-vs-algorithms-whats-the-difference/

[3] https://www.coe.int/en/web/artificial-intelligence/history-of-ai#:~:text=1940%2D1960%3A%20Birth%20of%20AI,of%20machines%20and%20organic%20beings.

[4] https://www.coe.int/en/web/artificial-intelligence/history-of-ai#:~:text=1940%2D1960%3A%20Birth%20of%20AI,of%20machines%20and%20organic%20beings.

[5] https://www.javatpoint.com/history-of-artificial-intelligence

[6] https://itchronicles.com/artificial-intelligence/where-is-ai-used-today/

[7] https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-future

[8] https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/05/05/the-future-of-ai-5-things-to-expect-in-the-next-10-years/?sh=7c2c89bc7422

[9] https://www.javatpoint.com/future-of-artificial-intelligence

[10] https://www.aeratechnology.com/blogs/why-machines-will-always-need-that-human-touch


Renita Dūdaitė

When the border of reality blurs…

Fear of the AI – a valid concern or just a common misrepresentation?

The makings of AI – from an algorithm to a sentient being?