The use of deepfake technology in Indian politics has taken a disturbing turn with the recent emergence of manipulated videos featuring Bollywood celebrities Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh. These deepfakes falsely portray the actors endorsing the Congress party and criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, garnering over half a million views on social media platforms.
The widespread impact of these deepfakes has raised alarms about the potential for AI-generated misinformation to influence voter opinions in the ongoing general election. Both actors have denied the statements made in the videos, and efforts by social media platforms and fact-checking websites to flag the videos as manipulated have been met with limited success.
In response to the deepfake videos, legal actions have been initiated, with Aamir Khan filing a police case in Mumbai against the creators of his manipulated video. This has led to a police investigation into the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
The incident underscores the ethical implications of AI in politics and the need for stringent measures to combat the spread of misinformation through deepfake technology. As AI continues to play a significant role in election campaigning, the ability to detect and combat deepfakes becomes crucial in safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.
To help the public identify deepfake videos, tips such as examining facial features, checking for inconsistencies in skin texture, and observing subtle details like blinking and lip movements can aid in distinguishing between real and manipulated content. As the threat of deepfakes looms large in Indian politics, awareness and vigilance are key in combating the spread of AI-generated misinformation.