Preventing misuse of deepfakes require a multi-faceted approach

• Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning have led to the development of tools and software that can analyze videos and images to identify signs of tampering or manipulation.
• It is possible to create a more secure online environment that is less susceptible to the spread of deepfakes.
• Researchers and developers must work together to stay ahead of the evolving threats posed by deepfakes and develop effective countermeasures to mitigate their impact

The advent of deepfakes, a form of artificial intelligence-generated media that can manipulate and alter faces, voices, and other biometric characteristics, has raised significant concerns about the potential misuse of this technology.

The ease with which deepfakes can be created and disseminated has far-reaching implications for national security, privacy, and the very fabric of trust in online communications.

Sumsub, a global full-cycle identity verification and deepfake solution provider, detected upwards of a 245 per cent year-on-year increase worldwide in the first quarter of 2024..

In the first quarter, the sectors with the most deepfakes were crypto, fintech and iGaming.

Fight AI with AI

The quantity of deepfake cases year on year soared 1,520 per cent in iGaming, 900 per cent in marketplaces, 533 per cent in fintech, 217 per cent in crypto, 138 per cent in consulting, and 68 per cent in online media.

Pavel Goldman-Kalaydin, Head of AI/ML at Sumsub, had said the number and quality of deepfakes is increasing and evolving daily worldwide.

“Even with the most progressive technology, it’s getting much harder to differentiate between a deepfake and reality. The only way forward is to fight AI with AI.”

Moreover, he said that the ultimate tool that keeps businesses protected is a multi-layered anti-fraud solution with different checks at various user journey stages.

Consulting firm Deloitte forecast that deepfake-related losses are expected to soar from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027, with banking and financial services being a primary target.

It’s projected that deep fake incidents will go up by 50 per cent to 60 per cent in 2024, with 140,000-150,000 cases globally predicted this year. 

The latest generation of generative AI apps, tools and platforms provides attackers with what they need to create deep fake videos, impersonated voices, and fraudulent documents quickly and at a very low cost.

Unsurprisingly, one in three enterprises don’t have a strategy to address the risks of an adversarial AI attack that would most likely start with deepfakes of their key executives.

Ivanti’s  latest research finds that 30 per cent of enterprises have no plans for identifying and defending against adversarial AI attacks.

In light of these risks, it is essential to take proactive steps to prevent the misuse of deepfakes and ensure that this powerful technology is utilised responsibly.

I. Education and awareness

One of the most critical steps in preventing the misuse of deepfakes is to educate the general public about the existence and risks of this technology. Many individuals are still unaware of the capabilities of deepfakes and the potential consequences of their misuse.

Therefore, it is essential to launch public awareness campaigns to inform people about the dangers of deepfakes and the importance of verifying the authenticity of online content.

This can be achieved through social media campaigns, educational programs in schools, and collaborations with reputable organizations to promote awareness about deepfakes.

II. Authentication and verification

Another crucial step in preventing the misuse of deepfakes is to develop robust authentication and verification mechanisms to detect and flag manipulated content.

This can be achieved through the development of AI-powered algorithms that can detect anomalies in audio and video files, as well as the implementation of digital watermarking techniques to tamper-proof online content.

Additionally, tech companies and social media platforms must work together to develop and implement industry-wide standards for authenticating and verifying user-generated content.

III. Regulation and policy

Government agencies and regulatory bodies must play a critical role in preventing the misuse of deepfakes by establishing clear laws and policies governing the use of this technology.

This can include implementing strict regulations on the use of deepfakes in political campaigns, prohibiting the creation and dissemination of manipulated content that could cause harm to individuals or societies, and establishing penalties for those found guilty of misusing deepfakes.

Furthermore, governments must work together to establish international standards and agreements to prevent the cross-border misuse of deepfakes.

IV. Digital literacy

In today’s digital age, digital literacy is essential to preventing the misuse of deepfakes. Individuals must be equipped with the skills to critically evaluate online content, identify manipulated media, and take steps to verify the authenticity of information.

This can be achieved through education and training programs that focus on developing critical thinking skills, media literacy, and online safety. Furthermore, tech companies and social media platforms must provide users with tools and resources to help them identify and report manipulated content.

V. Collaboration and information sharing

Preventing the misuse of deepfakes requires collaboration and information sharing between governments, tech companies, academia, and civil society organizations.

This can include sharing research and best practices on detecting and mitigating deepfakes, collaborating on the development of authentication and verification mechanisms, and working together to raise awareness about the risks of deepfakes. Furthermore, information sharing and collaboration can help to identify and disrupt organised efforts to misuse deepfakes.

VI. Research and development

Finally, preventing the misuse of deepfakes requires continued research and development in AI-powered detection and mitigation technologies.

This can include investing in the development of AI-powered algorithms that can detect and flag manipulated content, as well as exploring new technologies and techniques for authenticating and verifying online content.

Furthermore, researchers and developers must work together to stay ahead of the evolving threats posed by deepfakes and develop effective countermeasures to mitigate their impact.

It is possible to create a more secure online environment that is less susceptible to the spread of deepfakes.