How AI and deepfakes are changing politics | BBC News
News & Politics
Introduction
In recent months, major political figures, including Taylor Swift and US President Joe Biden, have been subjects of rapidly circulating deepfake content. Deepfakes—manipulated images and audio recordings created using AI-powered tools—have spread across social media, contributing to confusion and sowing mistrust among the public. With the upcoming November elections, the stakes are high for determining what is real versus what is fabricated.
Politicians like UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan have also fallen victim to deepfakes, showcasing the potential harm of such technology. The lines separating reality from fiction have blurred, raising concerns about public trust in government institutions.
In a notable incident in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams leveraged deepfake technology to create automated calls for city initiatives. These calls utilized AI to allow the mayor to communicate in multiple languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish. While intended to encourage residents to support city-owned venues, the decision has prompted criticism from civil rights and privacy advocate Albert Fox Khan, who argues that normalizing the use of deepfake technology could lead the public to distrust government announcements.
Adams has stated that New York City aims to responsibly integrate AI technologies, asserting that they will use AI without causing harm. However, the rise of deepfake applications in politics is not restricted to the United States. Election events in countries such as India, Indonesia, and Argentina have also seen the misuse of deepfake technology. In India, a ruling party candidate used AI to communicate in regional dialects without clear disclosure to the audience, which was later disavowed by the party. In Indonesia, a synthetic avatar of a deceased leader was brought back to endorse a candidate, and in Argentina, candidates utilized AI-generated images to depict their opponents negatively and enhance their own images.
As an estimated 2 billion people prepare to vote in elections globally this year, determining political fact from fiction has become increasingly complex in today's digital landscape.
Keywords
- AI
- Deepfakes
- Politics
- Public Trust
- Eric Adams
- Automated Calls
- Misinformation
- Global Elections
FAQ
Q: What are deepfakes?
A: Deepfakes are manipulated images and audio recordings created using AI technologies that can be used to imitate real people and fabricate events.
Q: How have politicians been affected by deepfakes?
A: Politicians, including Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan, have been victims of deepfake content, resulting in the spread of misinformation and distrust.
Q: What is the impact of AI in political communication?
A: The use of AI and deepfakes in political communication raises concerns about public trust, as it can blur the lines between authentic and fabricated information.
Q: Are there examples of deepfake technology used in recent elections?
A: Yes, there have been instances worldwide, including in India and Indonesia, where deepfake technology has been used in campaign efforts without proper disclosures.
Q: How many people are expected to vote in elections globally this year?
A: Approximately 2 billion people are expected to participate in elections around the world this year.