In this class, we explored the complex and rapidly evolving world of deepfakes, where artificial intelligence creates highly realistic but entirely fabricated audio and visual media. Here are the essential insights and practical tips discussed in the class:

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

What Deepfakes Are:

Deepfakes are AI-generated fakes that combine deep learning and fakery, manipulating images, videos, or audio to make it appear as though someone is doing or saying something they haven't.

Different Types of Deepfakes:

Be aware of various deepfake techniques, such as face swapping, lip-syncing, and full-body animation. These alterations range from harmless (like social media face swaps) to harmful (like fabricating emergency videos for scams).

How to Identify Deepfakes:

Learn to spot deepfakes by looking for inconsistencies in eyes, lighting, blurriness, audio sync, facial/body movement, and coloring. Pay attention to details, especially when videos make unusual claims or request sensitive information.

Stay Cautious and Vigilant:

Stay informed about the prevalence and advancement of deepfakes. Train yourself to be skeptical of suspicious images and videos, and remain vigilant about the content you encounter online!