Concerns mount over the proliferation of AI-generated content in political campaigns
As India gears up for elections, a new twist has emerged: dead politicians are making virtual comebacks, thanks to fancy computer tricks. These videos, called deepfakes, use artificial intelligence to make it seem like famous people are saying things they didn’t actually say.
In Tamil Nadu, videos of late leaders J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi have surfaced, criticizing current politicians and supporting their own parties. It’s a cheap way to campaign, especially compared to the costly rallies we’re used to.
But not everyone is cheering. Some worry these fake videos could mess with the fairness of elections. The government and others are sounding the alarm, saying these videos could spread lies and mess with people’s heads.
The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been quick to embrace fancy tech in the past, but even they are wary of these deepfakes. They’ve been warned that this kind of trickery could hurt democracy and social harmony.
Experts say it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake online, especially when it comes to politics. And making fun of opponents with fake videos might seem harmless, but it can actually do a lot of damage by spreading lies and making people doubt what’s true.
As India heads into elections, the big question is how to stop these high-tech lies from messing with the democratic process. Leaders and experts are scrambling to find solutions, but for now, the threat of fake videos looms large over the election season.