The Rise of AI-Generated Reality

“Deepfakes are hyper-realistic videos that apply artificial intelligence to depict someone saying and doing things that never happened” (Westerlund, 2019, p. 40).

In our research, we found that this technology creates a “real 1:1 feel” that makes it nearly impossible to distinguish from authentic footage. Unlike traditional photo editing, deepfakes can perfectly mimic a person’s voice, facial expressions, and mannerisms.

How Scammers Are Using Deepfakes

  • Impersonating CEOs to authorize fraudulent money transfers

  • Creating fake celebrity endorsements

  • Blackmailing victims with fabricated compromising videos

The Human Cost
As noted in our study:

“It can cause great personal harm to people all over the world, since it can be used to impersonate or even blackmail” (Westerlund, 2019).

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Verify through secondary channels – If you receive a suspicious video call or message, contact the person through another method

  2. Look for telltale signs – Unnatural blinking, inconsistent lighting, or robotic speech patterns

  3. Stay informed – “Education and training are crucial for combating deepfakes” (Westerlund, 2019, p. 40)

The Future of Deepfake Detection

Tech companies and governments are working on solutions, but as our research concludes:

“In the end, common sense is the best counter against this rising AI” (Westerlund, 2019).

Difference between real and fake