"Deepfake" Video of Joe Biden Spreads Misinformation: Reveals the Need For New Technology Policies

This article was written with the help of A.I. software.*

Joe Biden addresses the American publicPhoto bythe author (generated using A.I. technology)

A recent video went viral, showing Joe Biden allegedly advocating for a military draft.

However, upon closer investigation, it has been discovered that the video was actually created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology known as "deepfake". This advanced technology has the ability to generate fake images, videos, and audio that closely mimic reality, making fact or fiction nearly indistinguishable from one another.

The emergence of this video raises concerns about the potential misuse of AI for political propaganda and the manipulation of public opinion...

Joe Biden's Deepfake Calls Upon the Selective Service Act

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in recent years, particularly in its ability to mimic reality. Technological advancements have enabled the creation of AI-generated content, such as deepfake videos, images, and audio, that are incredibly realistic and difficult to distinguish from genuine content.

Earlier this year, in a now deleted post appearing on Facebook, YouTube, as well as numerous independant websites, a deepfake video of Joe Biden announces he has decided to "invoke the Selective Service Act, as is my authority as president". It goes on to say,

"Remember, you're not sending your sons and daughters to war," he says. "You're sending them to freedom."

Then, a few days later, another deepfake surfaced, with Biden seemingly making an impassioned case for approval of a White House request seeking a massive $14 billion for Israel in addition to ordering 2,000 troops to be deployed to the Middle East.

But, both videos were quickly debunked as fakes -- citing the use of "deepfake" technology.

Technology is Moving Faster Than Policy Makers

Deepfakes are amongst the litany of technological speedbumps government is facing in our ever-evolving tech world. Platforms such as ChatGPT and ElevenLabs can be used in combination to create content in the exact voice and tone of speech of anyone in the world.

Just this week, the Republican National Committee used artificial intelligence to create a 30-second ad, depicting what President Joe Biden's second term might look like (see video below):

Although the ad clearlyy states it was "built with AI imagery", it blurs the lines betgween reality and fiction. And, to the untrained eye, can be a powerful tool is spreading misinformation.

How AI is Being Used to Skew Public Opinion

This ad was justone example of how AI is being used to skew public opinion.

As reported by Shannon Bond for National Public Radio,

"In the past few weeks, fake images of former President Donald Trump scuffling with police went viral. So did an AI-generated picture of Pope Francis wearing a stylish puffy coat.

Realistic images generated using the AI image generator midjourney.comPhoto byPablo Xavier & Eliot Higgins using Midjourney V5

Artificial intelligence is quickly getting better at mimicking reality, raising questions over how to regulate it. And as tech companies unleash the ability for anyone to create fake images, synthetic audio and video, and text that sounds convincingly human.

Even experts have a hard time distinguishing certain images from reality. Irene Solaiman, a policy expert at an AI company Hugging Face admitted,

"I look at these generations multiple times a day and I have a very hard time telling them apart. It's going to be a tough road ahead."

What This Means for the Future

As AI-generated content, such as deepfake videos, continue to become more convincing and difficult to detect, it is crucial to implement regulations and safety measures to address these challenges.

And, as of today, there is no magic solution for controlling AI technology, as it has already become readily available to the public. But, some proposed methods from AI insiders and current policy makers are:

• Effective AI policy is essential to establish guidelines and frameworks that govern the use of AI-generated content. This includes addressing legal issues related to deepfake pornography, nonconsensual use of AI-generated images and videos, and protecting individuals' privacy and consent.

• Developing comprehensive AI policies to help ensure that the potential harms of AI-driven content are properly addressed and mitigated.

• Enhancing media literacy to empower individuals to critically evaluate and discern the authenticity of AI-generated content. Media literacy programs should focus on teaching individuals how to identify and fact-check AI-generated misinformation, propaganda, and deepfakes.

By fostering a greater understanding of the risks associated with AI-generated content, individuals can make informed decisions and play an active role in combating the spread of false information.

Hey, I'm Hudson! I write about social media, marketing, and modern entrepreneurship. Hit follow for more stories like this one.