University of Kwazulu-Natal

Detect Deepfake Threats Deepfakes In Disinformation Explained

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
detect deepfake threats deepfakes in disinformation explained

Deepfakes in disinformation campaigns have evolved dramatically, making it more difficult than ever to verify what we see and hear on news websites and TV channels. Today, even experienced journalists and corporate security teams may struggle to detect deepfake content, as artificial intelligence now generates hyper-realistic videos, voices, and images in minutes. This article explores the mechanics behind modern deepfakes, their growing role in cybercrime and influence operations, and practical ways organizations can defend against these risks. Deepfake technology uses neural networks trained on millions of images and recordings to replicate human expressions, gestures, and vocal patterns with striking precision. What began as an entertainment trend quickly became a powerful tool for fraudsters, manipulators, and propagandists. Real-world cases demonstrate the scale of the threat.

A fake video of “Volodymyr Zelensky” calling on Ukrainian troops to surrender appeared online in 2022. Although poorly produced, it showed how deepfakes in disinformation can aim to impact morale or destabilize public trust. Work for a Member organization and need a Member Portal account? Register here with your official email address. See for yourself how accurately you can identify AI-generated images at the DetectFakes Experiment and if you want to learn to spot deepfakes, please check out our recent paper on How to Distinguish AI-Generated... You can find more of our work at publications in PNAS, a workshop at IJCAI, and pre-print on arXiv.

Check out a video from the Election Misinformation Symposium: Fighting Misinfo Through Fact-checking and Deepfake Detection Find our deepfake research discussed in the news: Science, Scientific American, BBC, WSJ, NYT, , and NPR While deepfake scams are increasing globally, new AI tools and legal frameworks help detect them and avoid possible financial or reputational loss. Experts recommend a layered defence strategy that includes verifying the content, limiting exposure, and using multi-factor authentication. Indian tech firms and international bodies are launching advanced tools to help spot fake media before it causes irreversible damage. Deepfake technology has quickly moved from experimental labs to everyday digital spaces, creating new challenges for online safety.

The ability to fabricate convincing audio and video now affects elections, financial security, and public trust. As these synthetic media tools advance, the need for reliable detection methods becomes more urgent. The current situation is especially critical, since criminals are using lifelike impersonations to deceive individuals and organizations. This increase in fake content has forced cybersecurity teams, governments, and tech companies to speed up the availability of countermeasures. Stay ahead of digital threats with insights from a cybersecurity leader Deepfakes aren’t just a technological curiosity – they’re a fast-evolving threat with real-world consequences.

From impersonating public figures to fueling scams with manipulated audio and video, their potential for misuse is both wide-ranging and deeply unsettling. But how are these hyper-realistic fakes actually made? And more importantly – can you spot one yourself? In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore deepfakes from every angle: By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be able to spot a deepfake from miles away! A deepfake is a piece of synthetic media – most commonly it is a video, an audio clip, or an image – that has been generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence to appear convincingly...

The term comes from a blend of “deep learning” and “fake”, pointing directly to the technology behind it. Deepfakes and AI Misinformation: Can You Trust What You See? In the digital age, where information spreads at lightning speed, the line between reality and fabrication is becoming increasingly blurred. This blurring is largely due to the rise of sophisticated technologies like deepfakes, which leverage artificial intelligence to create incredibly realistic yet entirely fake videos and audio recordings. Deepfakes have evolved from clunky, easily detectable manipulations to highly convincing impersonations, capable of mimicking a person’s facial expressions, voice, and even mannerisms with astonishing accuracy. This evolution presents a grave challenge to our ability to discern truth from falsehood, raising profound questions about the future of trust and the integrity of information consumed by the public.

The potential consequences of deepfakes extend far beyond mere entertainment or harmless pranks. These AI-powered fabrications can be weaponized to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and damage reputations. Imagine a deepfake video of a political candidate making inflammatory remarks or engaging in illicit activities surfacing just before an election. Such a scenario could drastically alter public perception and potentially sway the outcome of the election, undermining the democratic process. Beyond the political sphere, deepfakes can be used to harass individuals, extort money, or incite violence. The ease with which these convincing fakes can be created and disseminated poses a significant threat to individuals, organizations, and even national security.

The technology underpinning deepfakes is known as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). GANs consist of two neural networks: a generator that creates the fake content and a discriminator that attempts to identify the fake. These two networks are pitted against each other in a continuous feedback loop, with the generator striving to create ever more realistic fakes and the discriminator working to become better at detecting them. This adversarial process drives the rapid improvement in deepfake quality, making them progressively more challenging to identify. As the technology becomes more accessible and user-friendly, the proliferation of deepfakes is expected to increase exponentially, exacerbating the already rampant problem of online misinformation. Combating the spread of deepfakes requires a multi-pronged approach.

Tech companies are investing in developing sophisticated detection tools that can identify subtle inconsistencies in deepfake videos, such as unnatural blinking patterns, inconsistent lighting, or irregularities in lip movements. These detection tools leverage machine learning algorithms to analyze videos and flag potential deepfakes based on a variety of factors. However, as deepfake technology evolves, these detection methods must also adapt to keep pace. It’s a constant arms race between the creators of deepfakes and those working to detect them.

People Also Search

Deepfakes In Disinformation Campaigns Have Evolved Dramatically, Making It More

Deepfakes in disinformation campaigns have evolved dramatically, making it more difficult than ever to verify what we see and hear on news websites and TV channels. Today, even experienced journalists and corporate security teams may struggle to detect deepfake content, as artificial intelligence now generates hyper-realistic videos, voices, and images in minutes. This article explores the mechani...

A Fake Video Of “Volodymyr Zelensky” Calling On Ukrainian Troops

A fake video of “Volodymyr Zelensky” calling on Ukrainian troops to surrender appeared online in 2022. Although poorly produced, it showed how deepfakes in disinformation can aim to impact morale or destabilize public trust. Work for a Member organization and need a Member Portal account? Register here with your official email address. See for yourself how accurately you can identify AI-generated ...

Check Out A Video From The Election Misinformation Symposium: Fighting

Check out a video from the Election Misinformation Symposium: Fighting Misinfo Through Fact-checking and Deepfake Detection Find our deepfake research discussed in the news: Science, Scientific American, BBC, WSJ, NYT, , and NPR While deepfake scams are increasing globally, new AI tools and legal frameworks help detect them and avoid possible financial or reputational loss. Experts recommend a lay...

The Ability To Fabricate Convincing Audio And Video Now Affects

The ability to fabricate convincing audio and video now affects elections, financial security, and public trust. As these synthetic media tools advance, the need for reliable detection methods becomes more urgent. The current situation is especially critical, since criminals are using lifelike impersonations to deceive individuals and organizations. This increase in fake content has forced cyberse...

From Impersonating Public Figures To Fueling Scams With Manipulated Audio

From impersonating public figures to fueling scams with manipulated audio and video, their potential for misuse is both wide-ranging and deeply unsettling. But how are these hyper-realistic fakes actually made? And more importantly – can you spot one yourself? In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore deepfakes from every angle: By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be able to spot a deepfake fr...