Digitally altered media fuels growing fears of widespread misinformation
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As the digital age advances, the tools we use to consume information and the methods we use to manipulate that information are becoming more sophisticated.
With a federal election on the horizon, Australian voters are being cautioned about a new threat that could influence the democratic process.
Verifying the authenticity of what they see and hear is more important than ever.
Deepfakes are hyper-realistic digitally altered images, videos, or audio recordings that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
They are created using artificial intelligence (AI) and have the potential to spread misinformation rapidly, especially during critical times such as an election campaign.
The concern is not unfounded. A recent incident at a Sydney school, where a student created pornographic images of female pupils using AI, has thrown the institution into chaos and highlighted the ease with which deepfakes can be produced and disseminated.
Experts are sounding the alarm that current deepfake detectors are not up to filtering out these convincing forgeries.
CSIRO cybersecurity expert Dr Sharif Abuadbba has emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that the AI behind deepfakes is outpacing the technology designed to detect them.
He warned that a politician's face and voice could be convincingly overlaid on images and videos, potentially swaying public opinion with fabricated content.
'As deepfakes grow more convincing, detection must focus on meaning and context rather than appearance alone,' Dr. Abuadbba advised.
This suggested that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to combat the threat, which goes beyond just the visual cues to understand the intent and potential impact of the content.
In response to these emerging threats, Australia has joined other nations in a commitment to the ethical use of AI, as declared at an action summit in Paris in February.
France's ambassador to Australia, Pierre-Andre Imbert, has expressed optimism that AI can be used to combat disinformation rather than as a weapon in information manipulation campaigns.
'We believe AI can be an opportunity to bring extra tools to fight against disinformation and information manipulation rather than used maliciously as part of information manipulation campaigns,' he said.
The Home Affairs Department's deputy secretary, Nathan Smyth, has highlighted the risk to democracies posed by technology that enables deceptive images to flourish online.
To educate the public, the Australian Electoral Commission has launched a campaign on social media, a platform that Mr Smyth notes is becoming increasingly influential in elections, to remind young voters to be sceptical of what they see.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay informed and vigilant. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your vote from the influence of deepfakes:
To navigate the rise of deepfakes, scrutinise the source of information and rely on trusted news outlets that verify content before publishing.
Cross-check shocking stories with multiple reputable sources and be wary of viral content that evokes strong emotions.
Utilise fact-checking services like FactCheck.org and Snopes.com to confirm authenticity, educate yourself on deepfake technology to spot potential fakes, and report misleading content to the platform where it appears.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital world, it's more important than ever to ensure that our democratic processes remain fair and untainted by malicious technology.
By staying informed and exercising critical thinking, we can protect the integrity of our elections and our right to make informed decisions about our nation's future.
In other news, AI-generated videos featuring deceased celebrities alongside living figures have stirred controversy online.
The clips—created using the Grok-2 AI model shared by AI educator Min Choi—depict John Lennon with Paul McCartney and Princes William and Harry with their late mother, Princess Diana. You can read more about them here.
Have you encountered deepfakes or other forms of misinformation online? Share your experiences and how you dealt with them in the comments below. Let's help each other stay informed and safeguard our democratic rights.
With a federal election on the horizon, Australian voters are being cautioned about a new threat that could influence the democratic process.
Verifying the authenticity of what they see and hear is more important than ever.
Deepfakes are hyper-realistic digitally altered images, videos, or audio recordings that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
They are created using artificial intelligence (AI) and have the potential to spread misinformation rapidly, especially during critical times such as an election campaign.
Deepfake technology is advancing, making fake images and videos harder to detect and potentially affecting elections. Credit: Orhan Turan / iStock
The concern is not unfounded. A recent incident at a Sydney school, where a student created pornographic images of female pupils using AI, has thrown the institution into chaos and highlighted the ease with which deepfakes can be produced and disseminated.
Experts are sounding the alarm that current deepfake detectors are not up to filtering out these convincing forgeries.
CSIRO cybersecurity expert Dr Sharif Abuadbba has emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that the AI behind deepfakes is outpacing the technology designed to detect them.
He warned that a politician's face and voice could be convincingly overlaid on images and videos, potentially swaying public opinion with fabricated content.
'As deepfakes grow more convincing, detection must focus on meaning and context rather than appearance alone,' Dr. Abuadbba advised.
This suggested that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to combat the threat, which goes beyond just the visual cues to understand the intent and potential impact of the content.
In response to these emerging threats, Australia has joined other nations in a commitment to the ethical use of AI, as declared at an action summit in Paris in February.
France's ambassador to Australia, Pierre-Andre Imbert, has expressed optimism that AI can be used to combat disinformation rather than as a weapon in information manipulation campaigns.
'We believe AI can be an opportunity to bring extra tools to fight against disinformation and information manipulation rather than used maliciously as part of information manipulation campaigns,' he said.
The Home Affairs Department's deputy secretary, Nathan Smyth, has highlighted the risk to democracies posed by technology that enables deceptive images to flourish online.
To educate the public, the Australian Electoral Commission has launched a campaign on social media, a platform that Mr Smyth notes is becoming increasingly influential in elections, to remind young voters to be sceptical of what they see.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay informed and vigilant. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your vote from the influence of deepfakes:
To navigate the rise of deepfakes, scrutinise the source of information and rely on trusted news outlets that verify content before publishing.
Cross-check shocking stories with multiple reputable sources and be wary of viral content that evokes strong emotions.
Utilise fact-checking services like FactCheck.org and Snopes.com to confirm authenticity, educate yourself on deepfake technology to spot potential fakes, and report misleading content to the platform where it appears.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital world, it's more important than ever to ensure that our democratic processes remain fair and untainted by malicious technology.
By staying informed and exercising critical thinking, we can protect the integrity of our elections and our right to make informed decisions about our nation's future.
In other news, AI-generated videos featuring deceased celebrities alongside living figures have stirred controversy online.
The clips—created using the Grok-2 AI model shared by AI educator Min Choi—depict John Lennon with Paul McCartney and Princes William and Harry with their late mother, Princess Diana. You can read more about them here.
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