What exactly is deepfake that we've been hearing about lately? In short, it's creating fake images, videos, or audio that appear real using AI-powered software. Initially, it was used in Hollywood special effects, but if you're asking why it's become so widespread in recent years, it's because open-source AI tools have become accessible to everyone. So, in your opinion, which areas does this technology pose the greatest threat, or where might it evolve in the future?
What is deepfake technology and how did it emerge?
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I think the most dangerous aspect of deepfakes is how they take social engineering and disinformation to the next level. The other day, I heard a friend’s fake voice and almost believed it—pitch, accent, everything was spot on. When they said, "They called me, they need help," it sounded so convincing that I almost sent money.
If deepfakes really take off in the future, they could even be used in interstate conflicts—imagine a fake statement from a world leader sparking a global crisis. We need to start taking precautions now, or the consequences could be severe.
The technology behind deepfakes actually dates back to the mid-1990s. Initially used by academia and Hollywood’s special effects departments, these systems were limited to synthesizing facial expressions and lip movements at first. For example, the facial animations of digital characters in *Final Fantasy* were early versions of such systems—but people didn’t recognize them as "deepfakes" because they were created with the goal of crafting a digital actor, not deception.
Fast forward to today, and everything has changed. Thanks to open-source AI tools—particularly the rise of GAN (Generative Adversarial Networks) models—even a student can generate highly realistic fake videos with just a few hundred images. Popular tools like DeepFaceLab or FaceSwap, whose code is freely shared, were downloaded by millions of amateur users in no time.
The biggest danger lies in politics and media. During the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, unfortunately, some deepfake videos were used for political propaganda, and with insufficient verification tools at the time, many people were deceived. Even worse, it’s now possible to create fake phone calls using voice deepfakes—making it increasingly hard to tell real news from fabricated ones. Looking ahead, it seems unlikely this technology will remain confined to entertainment; it’s become a goldmine for identity theft and disinformation campaigns.