Deepfake technology: Fake political recordings look like the real thing

Fake audio recordings of politicians could influence elections Now one of Britain’s most senior politicians has become a victim of so-called deepfakes.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is now easy to imitate a voice using a computer. This was noticed by musicians whose unique voices were being used in new songs without their knowledge.

To mimic voice, AI programs typically need only a few minutes of real human speech. AI makes it especially easy for politicians who like to talk and have days of freely available podcasts that can serve as a basis for fakeouts.

Therefore, there is great concern that so-called deepfakes could be used to put words into the mouths of politicians that they never said. This is exactly what happened to British opposition leader and Labor Party leader Keir Starmer, according to Politico. mentioned.

The election campaign begins in Great Britain

A deepfake has been circulating in this, supposedly the Labor leader insulting his employee and the entire city of Liverpool.

In the heartland of the working class, the Labor Party is currently holding its annual party conference, which may be its last before the elections expected next year.

Second deepfake case in just a few weeks

This was the second high-profile deepfake case in Europe in just a few weeks. Shortly before the elections in Slovakia, a fake recording emerged of an alleged conversation between top liberal candidate Michal Šimeka and a journalist in which they laid out plans to rig the election.

Starmer was fortunate that members of his political opponent from the ruling Conservative Party condemned the recording as fake. However, in more polarized societies, political rivals are more likely to use such fake recordings or even create them themselves. Unlike videos, it is now almost impossible to distinguish between real and fake recordings.