The emergence of such technology has made it easy for both supporters and opponents of the former president to create fake images of him in handcuffs, indicating an indictment related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Deepfakes are manipulated images or videos created using AI and machine learning that can convince an unsuspecting viewer that the content is real. The technology has been used previously to create convincing videos of public figures saying things they never actually said.
The potential for deepfakes to sow chaos and disinformation has been discussed for years, with many experts warning of the potential damage that these fake videos and images could cause. But now, it appears that deepfakes are not just being used to spread propaganda, but also to create what one source called “anticipatory disinformation.”
Joan Donovan, a Harvard University researcher and author of the book Meme Wars, spoke to The Daily Beast about the rise of deepfakes and their potential impact on society. “Unfortunately, these tools for creating realistic images are very useful for hoaxing the public,” she said. “We are witnessing a new form of ‘anticipatory disinformation,’ where rumors are made into reality through the creation of media covering events that never happened.”
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