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ARTICLE · 22 OCTOBER 2024

Audio And Video Deepfakes: A Cutting-Edge Scam And Disinformation Risk

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Deepfakes are becoming more sophisticated – and more dangerous.

United StatesTechnology
Anni Coonan
Anni Coonan

Today's Deep Dive is 1,637 words and a 10 minute read.

Deepfakes are becoming more sophisticated – and more dangerous. The technology, which uses AI to replicate existing voices and images in order to create novel audio and video clips, has grown exponentially in capability in recent years, creating new opportunities for its use – to both positive and malign ends. In addition to propping up an explosion of deepfake-based scams, audio and video deepfakes are a new frontier of disinformation, and are already widespread in elections throughout the world. While deepfakes generated by AI are also products of technology that is immensely helpful – the same technology is used extensively to cut costs in media by creating virtual sets and special effects, boost accessibility, and anonymize video and audio data, among other uses – the risks are rising as the tech evolves.

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