KARACHI:
Deepfakes, the 21st century’s equivalent of Photoshop, employs artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake images and videos. For example, swapping faces involves running shots of two individuals through an AI algorithm that identifies similarities and initiates the swap, reconstructing Person A’s face with Person B’s expression and voice. Initially, deepfakes began as harmless face swaps, but as technology advanced, they became more sophisticated.
Originally used for creating videos of deceased relatives, deepfakes took a concerning turn, shifting from harmless to violating someone’s dignity. Instances like the viral video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a video featuring Gabon’s President Ali Bongo illustrate the potential harm. These deceptive practices blur the line between truth and deception and their impact is significant.
While some countries like South Korea and the European Union have laws against deepfakes, Pakistan lacks specific legislation addressing this issue. The absence of legal frameworks to tackle deepfakes highlights the need for prompt action from relevant authorities to prevent potential misuse and consequences in the country. Law enforcement agencies and cyber authorities must work collaboratively to enact comprehensive legislation to protect people from the potential harm posed by these deceptive practices.
Abbas Baloch
Kharan
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2023.
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