Misinformation and Deepfakes

About

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is shared, often without the intent to deceive. However, when this information is spread intentionally to manipulate or harm, it becomes disinformation. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier to create and disseminate both misinformation and disinformation. AI can generate convincing false content, including deepfakes, which are manipulated media such as videos, images, or audio designed to deceive by impersonating real individuals or events. Deepfakes, in particular, pose a significant threat as they can be used to create extremely believable but fabricated content. This technology can undermine trust in institutions and manipulate public opinion, especially during critical events like elections. The rapid spread of misinformation and deepfakes through social media platforms has heightened concerns about their impact on democracy and societal trust. Efforts to detect and mitigate these threats are crucial, including developing technologies to identify AI-generated content and promoting media literacy to critically evaluate information.