Deepfakes

What it is

Deepfakes are AI-generated or manipulated media—typically videos or images—that convincingly depict people saying or doing things they never did. Using deep learning, creators can swap faces, synthesise voices, or generate entirely fictional but realistic-looking people.

Why it matters

Deepfakes threaten trust in visual evidence. A video of someone "saying" something may be fabricated. This has implications for politics, personal reputation, fraud, and harassment. Awareness helps you question suspicious media and understand why verification tools are being developed.