Artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled an unprecedented level of content manipulation. Deep fake technology, which can create or alter images, audio, and video to fabricate situations or statements, has outpaced public awareness and is increasingly threatening democratic processes. Let’s look at some significant political deep fake incidents to date:
1. Joe Biden New Hampshire Robocall Incident (January 2024) – A fake audio was attributed to a New Hampshire Democratic Party leader’s phone number, campaigning against primary elections. The audio was confirmed to be generated using speech synthesis technology.
2. Olaf Scholz Deep Fake Incident (November 2023) – A deep fake video falsely depicted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz endorsing a ban on the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This was part of an art-activist campaign aiming to draw attention to the rising influence of AfD against Germany’s 1930s history.
3. PM Rishi Sunak’s Involvement in Scams (January 2024) – Over 100 deceptive video ads featuring the UK Prime Minister were linked to fraudulent schemes. A research company highlighted the challenges of content moderation on social media, contributing to the spread of such misinformation.
4. Imran Khan’s Virtual Rally (December 2023) – Despite being imprisoned, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in a virtual rally backed by AI, attracting millions of viewers.
5. Ex-Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir’s TikTok Audio (2023) – A TikTok campaign used AI technology to fabricate audio of former President al-Bashir about current civil unrest in Sudan.
6. Slovakia’s Election Day Scam – Deep fake audio of politicians discussing corrupt practices was spread on the election day itself during a media blackout.
Deep fake incidents also involved Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main challenger during Turkish elections, former US President Donald Trump, and Nancy Pelosi. The frightening potential of deep fakes to manipulate public opinion, discredit public figures, and undermine trust in politics emphasizes the need for collaboration between technologists, policymakers, and the general public. As AI models used to create fake media become more sophisticated, timely action against such threats remains crucial.
