02/01/2021
Deepfake videos are getting better, and the Pentagon is worried
The Defense Department is funding research into technology able to automatically detect deepfake videos. The Pentagon fears the manipulated media could be dangerous form of propaganda or misinformation, and a national threat if you can control the words of world leaders. The goal is to build a platform to instantly and forensically analyze videos for the subtle hallmarks of a faker's handiwork. For example, doctored videos often rely on images found online, and those aren't likely to include pictures of someone blinking.
■Class discussion: Do you think deepfake videos are just harmless fun or could they endanger you and the nation? Why? Will computer scientists be able to create programs that will be able to detect phony videos and take them offline before they can cause serious trouble? Are there any computer programs to filter out all the misinformation, propaganda, doctored images and outright lies on the internet? Can someone lie about an event by only showing part of a longer video? Any examples? How can you tell what you see, read or hear is really true?