• Khaled warns of escalating deepfake danger.
• Deepfake creation sees a 900% YoY surge.
• Impact on mental health and reputations a major concern.

AI and disinformation expert Wasim Khaled, CEO, and co-founder of Blackbird.AI, has raised alarm bells about the escalating threat of deepfakes, emphasizing that exposure to these manipulated videos could lead to a warped sense of reality. Khaled describes the situation as a “Pandora’s box,” with the worst yet to come.

Khaled acknowledges the current difficulty in producing deepfake videos but warns that the ability for individuals to create highly realistic and deceptive content is expected to become easier, cheaper, and more widespread. He notes the rapid improvement of deepfake models, expressing concern that the danger is increasing at an alarming pace.

The CEO of Clarity, Michael Matias, supports Khaled’s concerns, revealing a staggering 900% year-over-year increase in deepfake creation. Matias estimates that by January 2024, there are already more deepfakes online than the entire previous year. He ominously suggests that eventually, every person could become a target of deepfake manipulation.

One of Khaled’s major apprehensions revolves around the profound impact deepfakes can have on both the mental health of the individuals targeted and those who view the manipulated content. Blackbird.AI, which focuses on fighting disinformation, previously dealt primarily with text-based “fabricated realities” that influenced people’s perceptions over the past few years.

Khaled emphasizes the challenge posed by inserting highly realistic media content into the information landscape, pointing to an incident involving Taylor Swift’s images. He explains that the average person may find it challenging to refute the authenticity of deepfake images, potentially causing significant harm to their reputation.

Moreover, Khaled warns that overexposure to deepfakes could lead to a situation where individuals struggle to prove the falseness of a manipulated image, even if they possess evidence. He believes that our brains may not be ready for the psychological impact of such advanced technology, making it difficult to discern truth from fiction.

In light of these concerns, experts in the field stress the need for increased awareness and countermeasures to combat the rising threat of deepfakes, as they continue to evolve in complexity and accessibility.

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