Chris Ume, creator of viral Tom Cruise deepfake, said that he wanted viewers to “start thinking twice” about the content they are watching and that they may be fabricated, despite how realistic it may appear. Deepfakes typically involve a picture or video where a person or object is manipulated to say or do something else.
While most viewers discerned that the video was edited, Ume predicted that AI and VFX technology would further advance in the next few years, making discretion paramount for distinguishing between the real and deepfake.
“In a year from now people need to question what they’re looking at and it’s important for journalists to confirm their sources and where they got it,” he said. “You will always have people misusing techniques, so you have to think twice when you look at something.”
What are some telltale signs that something is fabricated or false? And if the signs aren’t obvious, what are ways we can ensure the content we consume is authentic and truthful?
