New Delhi: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making a significant impact on Indian politics, particularly with the rise of deepfakes targeting Bollywood celebrities during the current election season. The emergence of deepfake videos featuring popular actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh has caused widespread concern over the potential manipulation of voter perceptions through AI-generated content.
These deepfake videos, showcasing Khan and Singh purportedly criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and endorsing the Congress party, have gained substantial traction online, accumulating over half a million views on social media platforms. The deceptive nature of deepfake technology, which leverages AI to create realistic videos of individuals saying things they never actually said, poses a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
The utilization of AI technologies like deepfakes in the 2024 general election represents a significant departure from traditional campaigning methods, signaling a global trend where similar technologies have been employed in elections across various countries. The incident involving Khan and Singh highlights the urgent need for robust legal and technological measures to safeguard against the misuse of AI in politics and uphold democratic principles.
Detecting deepfake videos can be challenging due to their high-quality production, but initiatives such as MIT’s Detect Fakes experiment offer valuable insights into identifying AI-manipulated content. By utilizing certain tips and techniques, individuals can better discern between real and fake videos, thus mitigating the impact of deceptive AI-generated material on public opinion.
In conclusion, the proliferation of deepfakes in Indian elections underscores the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in politics and reinforces the necessity of implementing effective safeguards to prevent the distortion of democratic processes. As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative for policymakers, tech developers, and the public to remain vigilant against the potential threats posed by AI-mediated manipulation and ensure the preservation of fair and transparent electoral practices.
