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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThere is one thing Russians haven't used yet in their election meddling but they probably will.
Deepfake videos.
These are videos that have the face modified by computer AI (artificial intelligence) systems. They can be made to be nearly indistinguishable from real videos and the voice can be convincingly changed the same way.
Up to now most deepfake videos have been putting celebrity faces on porn star bodies but I'm sure that once a Democratic candidate is chosen we will start to see convincing videos of them saying and doing horrendous things. If an offensive video is staged with a performer who has a similar body build to the candidate, the face and voice change could be undetectable.
These videos can be created on home computers so even if the Russians don't do it, conservative assholes will have the means to do so. It will be hard to defend against these because they will look so real. There may be debates as to whether they are real or not but the seed of doubt will be planted and strengthen Trump's chances for a second term.
Just a heads up on another challenge I'm pretty sure we will have to confront before long.
BamaRefugee
(3,483 posts)There must be at least ONE "talented" computer prankster out there who dislikes Trump...strange.
Kablooie
(18,605 posts)It's not terribly easy and does take computer programming expertise but there are people working on making a simple consumer version.
Google has a free AI programming environment called Colab that allows you to use some pretty high powered hardware on the cloud.
Hopefully being a MAGAT disqualifies you from having the intelligence to know how to do this but the Russians sure have the capability.
rampartc
(5,383 posts)I would be surprised that they have not already done so.
Aussie105
(5,315 posts)Nothing nasty mind, just showing how convincing such mashups can be.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=obama+fake+video&view=detail&mid=8A75EB0537FB7A0EC2F58A75EB0537FB7A0EC2F5&FORM=VIRE
Moral of the story?
Look for an angle behind everything you read and hear, if it is an angle you dislike, discard it.
If you see a video of someone you know but the words and actions seem out of whack for that person, disregard it.
Work on your critical thinking skills, in other words.
You might speak the truth. Don't rely on others to do the same. Don't be shaped into the 2016 thing of 'But I can't vote for Hillary!'
FakeNoose
(32,556 posts)At least on the clips I've seen, it's the voice that gives it away.
This technology has been perfected in the movie industry for years when they were faced with impossible retakes, for example when one of the stars had already died. Even after the studios send out press releases explaining what they did, there are still a lot of unsophisticated movie fans who will never know the difference.
DFW
(54,268 posts)Takket
(21,526 posts)IMO the technology to make them shouldn't even be legal, or at least should be SEVERELY regulated.
The potential for damage to society that they hold is immense.
...it'll go the way of chemical and nuclear weapons; if all sides have the horribly destructive capability nobody will use it...
...or maybe not...
...
myohmy2
(3,137 posts)...sorry to say, the technology will be there and used...
...I feel the only way we'll be able to deal with AI Deepfakes is like dealing with trump today, make our own version but do it better...
...Deepfakes are just another wedge to polarize and destroy truth and society by those who profit from such destruction...
...I know nothing about Deepfake technology...maybe AI can create Deepfake filters?
...
Kablooie
(18,605 posts)Before they become too common.
And yes, they are using AI to develop it.
lostnfound
(16,161 posts)Local media on life support.
People can be manipulated to believe anything.
malaise
(268,664 posts)from ReTHUGS.
I don't get it - The FEC Chairperson publicly announces that ReTHUGs would not allow her to have the FBI investigate Russian interference and this is not the biggest story in the US.
Cerridwen
(13,252 posts)The russians can concentrate on spreading their shit while the militant right does their usual mind fuck.