Deepfake Technology: What It Is, How to Spot, and Safeguard

There are many AI technologies which are being used for constructive as well as destructive purposes. Technologies like ChatGPT, Claude AI, etc. help users to generate content according to their queries. This is a constructive purpose. Deepfake technology can be used for destructive purposes as users can create fake images, videos, and text content which seem to be coming from trusted sources.

What is Deepfake Technology?

Deepfake technology is used to make fake images video and audio recordings. The technology is used for swapping a person with the image or data of another. The technology can also be used to create original content but in reality is fake. The information delivered by this technology is false but it seems that it has come from trusted sources.

History of Deepfake Technology

Every technology in the world has its history and so is the case with the Deepfake. The Deepfake technology was started in the 1990s due to the researchers working with CGI. The purpose behind using CGI was to create real images of humans. In 2010, large datasets were developed in machine learning. This led to the advancement of the Deepfake technology. Ian Goodfellow and his team introduced a machine learning concept which was named as Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) which was able to generate videos, images and audio deepfakes.

Continuous development of Deepfake Technology

There are many open-source tools available which average internet users can use for entertainment. These tools can be used to make memes, swapping the faces of the actors, players, or any other celebrity. The technology became more advanced in 2017 so it became necessary to take some measures to control the advancement as this can lead to usage of the technology for crimes and malicious purposes.

Deepfake Technology in 2018

In 2018, the usage of the Deepfake technology became the main concern because of its development at a fast pace. Many tech platforms made policies for their organizations so that the Deepfake technology can be used moderately. This led to the development of Reality Defender which was a non-profit organization and later turned into a Deepfake detection company.

Deepfake Technology in 2019

In 2019, many countries started taking legislative measures so that Deepfake technology can be controlled and the products developed through this technology can be regulated. Many companies are in the process of integrating software applications that can be used to detect deepfakes.

What are Video Deepfakes?

Deepfake videos are the media that have been manipulated with the help of Deepfake software applications in which AI can be used. Deepfake technology can be used to replace the picture or voice of a person with another. This can lead to the spread of false information revealed by a person that he or she has never said.

How to make Deepfake Videos?

An encoder and a decoder network are used to develop a Deepfake video. The encoder and decoder work within the GAN and its full form is Generative Adversarial Network. The encoder has the responsibility of analyzing the content from the source. This content includes an analysis of the face and other features which are transferred to the decoder network.

The decoder has the responsibility of generating new content in which the face will be manipulated and other features are also changed. This process runs till the time the given task is completed with perfection.

What is Voice Cloning?

Voice cloning is a process in which a human voice is cloned with the help of software that uses artificial intelligence. In this process, the pattern of sound of a human being is analyzed. This analyzed sound is produced in such a way that it seems to be the same as the original sound.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms are used to make a clone of a human voice. In the process of voice cloning, an audio is used which consists of a large amount of data from the target voice. The processing of this data is done on the basis of pitch, rhythm, tone, and inflection. A new voice is generated by using artificial intelligence.

How does Voice Cloning Work?

The process of voice cloning is complicated and different steps are followed to complete the task. These steps are discussed below ?

• Voice Sampling ? This is the first step of voice cloning. In this step, audio is used for collecting the data of the person whose voice has to be cloned. The speech of the person is recorded for several hours so that different aspects related to the sound can be captured. These aspects include rhythm, inflections, patterns, etc.
• Audio Analysis ? This is a process in which analysis of collected voice is performed. In the analysis, the voice is broken down into different parts which are known as phonemes which are the smallest units that are used in a language. The analysis is also conducted to know different features of the voice which include speed, tone, and pitch.
• Feature Extraction ? This is the third step in which the required features are extracted from the voice. These features include accent, rhythm, and intonation.
• AI Model Training ? The AI model is trained on the basis of features extracted from the voice. This AI model is actually a neural network. The training process includes the replication of different features of the voice.
• Fine Tuning ? After the training of the AI model is completed, the cloned voice is generated and then it is fine-tuned so that everything between the cloned and original voice can be matched.
• Generation of Output ? This is the final step in which the output of the cloned voice is produced. The cloned sound seems to be similar to the original sound.

How to choose a tool for voice cloning?

There are many tools which can be used for voice cloning. You have to look for different aspects before choosing the tool. These aspects are discussed below.

• Voice Output Quality ? The cloned voice must be similar to the original one. There are many tools in the market that have the ability to produce a cloned voice similar to the original one and it is very difficult to distinguish both of them. You should look for the tool that is able to produce such quality of voice.
• Usage ? The tool should be used easily and all the steps should be easily followed so that a cloned voice cannot be distinguished from the original sound.
• Support of Different Languages ? There are situations in which multiple languages are needed to clone a voice. Users should look for a cloning tool which supports different languages.
• Quick Results ? Another aspect that you have to consider is the speed at which the output is given.
• Privacy and Security ? You have to make sure that the data you are using in an application is secure. This step should especially be taken if you are in the process of cloning your own voice.
• Cost of the Tool ? You have to check whether the tool you are using is fulfilling all your needs. You also have to check the cost of the tool on the basis of the features you need to clone a voice.

How Voice Clones are used?

Voice clones can be used for good as well as bad purposes. Here are the ways in which voice clones can be used.

• Voice Biometric Spoofing ? Voice is considered as one of the great options for biometrics. Bad people can use recorded voices to perform presentation attacks. Other methods that bad people can use are computer-altered voice and synthetic voice. These steps are used so that the biometric can be fooled and criminals can get access to the sensitive information.
• Phishing Scams ? Voice cloning can be used to cause phishing scams. This is a type of scam in which a person thinks that he or she is talking to the trusted person but in reality, it is a cloned voice. These scams can also be done through emails, where a recipient receives an email in which it is asked to provide the details of a bank account or the information related to the credit card. Scammers are also using voice mail and phone calls to do the scam.
• Misinformation ? Voice clones can be used for spreading wrong information. The manipulated video and audio can lead to violence or it may cause other types of harm.
• Evidence ? Fake evidence can be created with the help of cloned voices. This can be a big blow to criminal cases as the audio produced as evidence may have cloned voice.
• Blackmailing ? Online blackmailing can be done by using the cloned voice. This type of voice may harass the victim and force him or her to pay something.
• Education ? Voice cloning can be used in educating people. Voices of historical figures can be cloned and this can be used for storytelling and provide interactive teaching.
• Audiobooks ? Voice cloning can be used to clone the voices of celebrities and put them into audiobooks. These voices may include autobiographies and other content related to a celebrity.

What are Shallowfakes?

Shallowfakes can be used to make a clone of an image, video, or audio. It is called shallowfake as its quality is much lower than the deepfake. Basic editing software applications are used to create shallowfakes. Shallowfakes are easy to create in comparison to deepfakes so they are more dangerous to society. False identity proof can be easily created. Besides this, criminals can also create fake supporting evidence.

Which Technology is used to create Deepfakes?

There are many technologies that help in making the deepfakes easy. These technologies are discussed here.

GAN

GAN is a neural network technology consisting of generator and discriminator algorithms. Both algorithms are used for the creation of deepfake content.

Convolutional Neural Network

CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) is responsible to make an analysis of the patterns present in the visual data. Facial recognition is also done by CNN. It also tracks the movement of the person present in the video.

Autoencoders

Another neural network technology used to create deepfakes is autoencoders. The task of these autoencoders is to look for the attributes of the target which may include body movement, facial expressions, and many more. The autoencoders use these attributes on the source.

Natural Language Processing

The algorithms of Natural Language Processing are used to create the deepfake audio. These algorithms are responsible for the analysis of the attribute of the target and then use the attributes to generate the content which is similar to the original one.

High Performance Computing

This is a type of computing which helps deepfakes to get high and necessary computing power.

Video Editing Software

There are many video editing software applications but all of them do not support artificial intelligence. AI technologies are implemented to make improvements in the output of the video.

Why are Deepfakes used?

There are many positive and negative uses of deepfakes and we will discuss them here in detail.

Art

Deepfake technology is being used in art and it is done for the generation of new music with the help of the work of an artist.

Blackmail and Reputation Harm

There are many examples in which deepfake has been used for blackmailing or hurting the reputation of a person. The videos and images are made to get money from the victim. Porn and revenge porn are a few forms of deepfakes which are being used for extorting money.

Caller Response Services

Deepfakes are used in providing responses to the caller's request so that personalized responses can be provided. Deepfakes are also used to provide call forwarding and receptionist services.

Customer Phone Support

Deepfakes are used in customer phone support so that fake voices can be used for providing simple services to the customers like telling about the bank account balance or registering a complaint.

Entertainment

Deepfakes are being used in the entertainment industry. Manipulated voices of actors are being used in video games and Hollywood movies for shooting certain scenes. Deepfakes are being used in a movie when shooting a scene becomes very hard. Parody content is also being made with the help of deepfakes.

False Evidence

This is the negative usage of the deepfake technology. False images or audio can be fabricated which can be used as a piece of evidence. This evidence can be used to prove someone innocent or criminal.

Video Campaigns at Low Cost

Deepfakes can be used by marketers to cut down the costs of the video campaigns. This can be done with the help of the usage of existing digital recordings and new content can be made by using the script dialogue.

Fraud

This is another negative aspect where deepfakes can be used for personifying an individual so that sensitive data can be obtained which can be used for committing cybercrimes. Executives of the companies can be impersonated and credentials of the bank account or credit cards can be accessed.

Usage of Deepfakes in Politics

Deepfakes can also be used in politics by manipulating the videos of politicians. Trusted sources are used to get the data from the people which can be for or against a politician.

Manipulation of Stock

The stock price of a company can be manipulated by making deepfakes of videos which can be used for defaming senior officials of the company. The stock price of a company sometimes be raised by making a deepfake video for launching a product or promises given the higher officials.

Text Messaging

The texting styles of a user can be copied and used to commit fraud. This report is provided by the US Department of Homeland in which it is said that deepfake technology can be used in the future to copy the style of texting.

Education

Deepfake is also being used in the education industry. AI tutors are being developed which help in providing personalized services to students.

How to Spot a Deepfake?

Deepfake technology is being used for positive and negative purposes. There are many ways in which a deepfake can be detected and we will discuss them here in detail.

Check the Number of Flashes

An image in a video flashes and you have to detect the number of times of flashing of an image. In the case of deepfakes, the number of flashes are less in comparison to the original videos. It also happens that flashing is done in an unnatural way in deepfakes.

Face and Body

Usually, face of a person is used to create a deepfake. A deepfake can be detected by checking the expressions of the face or detecting the movements and postures of the body.

Length of the Video

In order to create a quality deepfake, the algorithms need rigorous and regular training. The length of the original videos will usually be longer in comparison to the deepfake videos.

Sound in the Video

An original video may have sounds which cannot be found in the deepfake video. Check whether the audio matches with the image or not as it will help in detecting the deepfake videos. It is very difficult to reproduce, the tongue, oral cavity, and teeth in a deepfake video. If the inner part of a mouth is blurred, then it can be a fake picture or video.

Blending the Face

Face swap is a method that is used to create a deepfake image. In such a case, there are points where the blending of the original and fake image is done. It can lead to a difference in the color or texture of the face.

Conclusion

Deepfake is a technology in which fake videos, audio, and images can be produced with different software applications and the usage of artificial intelligence. Deepfakes can be used for positive and negative aspects. If we talk about positive aspects, deepfake can be used in education, shooting of the difficult scene in a movie, etc. If we talk about negative aspects, deepfakes can be used for blackmailing, sending fake messages, cybercrimes, etc. Deepfakes can be detected by thoroughly studying the face, checking the blending in an image, checking the sound, and many more.