Deep fake
(also spelled deepfake) is a type of artificial intelligence used to
create convincing image, audio and video hoaxes. The term, which describes both
the technology and the resulting bogus content, is a portmanteau of deep
learning and fake.
Deep
fake content is created by using two competing AI algorithms -- one is called
the generator and the other is called the discriminator. The generator, which
creates the phoney multimedia content, asks the discriminator to determine
whether the content is real or artificial.
Together, the
generator and discriminator form something called a generative adversarial
network (GAN). Each time the discriminator accurately identifies a content as
being fabricated; it provides the generator with valuable information about how
to improve the next deep fake.
The first step
in establishing a GAN is to identify the desired output and create a training
dataset for the generator. Once the generator begins creating an acceptable
level of output, video clips can be fed to the discriminator.
As the
generator gets better at creating fake video clips, the discriminator gets
better at spotting them. Conversely, as the discriminator gets better at
spotting fake video, the generator gets better at creating them.
Until
recently, video content has been more difficult to alter in any substantial
way. Because deepfakes are created through AI, however, they don't require the
considerable skill that it would take to create a realistic video otherwise.
Unfortunately, this means that just about anyone can create a deepfake to
promote their chosen agenda. One danger is that people will take such videos at
face value; another is that people will stop trusting in the validity of any
video content at all.
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