Late theoretical physiologist, cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking once said, “Success in creating effective AI [Artificial Intelligence] could be the greatest event in the history of our civilisation. Or the worst.” The recent furore over deepfakes was a result of targeted celebrity fakes, starting with actress Rashmika Mandanna whose face was morphed onto a body of another woman wearing a dress with a plunging neckline; followed by Katrina Kaif’s edited clips from her recent movie Tiger 3; Kajol’s deepfake of Get ready with me, where she undresses herself. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasn’t been spared either; here, a man looking exactly like him is involved in a garba performance leading to the Prime Minister recently raising a concern about the misuse of AI on public platforms. Amid the rise in contrasting opinions and advice platforms, three experts break down the technological terms, the extent of its misuse, the psychological impact on victims and caregivers, and possible precautionary measures.

Kajol, Katrina Kaif and Rashmika Mandanna have had deepfake videos made on them. Pics Courtesy/Instagram; Representation pic