Deepfakes: real or fake?
What deepfakes are, the clues that something may be fake, why checking the source matters most, and the real-or-fake challenge.
AI can make fake videos, pictures and voices that look real. Let's learn to spot them. With A I, it's now possible to make a video of someone saying something they never said, or a photo of something that never happened. These fakes can look and sound very real. So it's important to know how to spot them, and what to do.
New word: Deepfake
A fake like this is called a deepfake. It's a fake video, picture or voice, made with A I, that shows someone saying or doing something they never did. Scammers use deepfakes of famous people to promote fake giveaways and investments. Others use them to spread lies, or to embarrass people.
Kinds of deepfakes
There are face swaps, where one person's face is put onto someone else, fake photos of events that never happened, cloned voices, where a real person's voice says words they never said, and fake news clips, made to look like they're from a real news channel.
Clues that something may be fake
Look for clues. Odd details, like strange hands, teeth, ears or earrings. Lips that don't quite match the words. Shocking news that tries to make you angry, scared or excited. And an unknown source, or a brand new account. Here's the hard truth. Deepfakes are getting better, and soon you may not see any clues at all. So the best test isn't your eyes. It's the source. Who posted it? And are trusted news websites reporting the same thing?
Stop, check, then share
When you see something surprising, follow these steps. First, stop. Don't share it straight away. Second, check who posted it first. Third, search trusted news websites. If it's real and important, they'll be reporting it. Fourth, try a reverse image search, with a tool like Google Lens. It shows where else a picture has appeared. And fifth, if you're still not sure, don't share it.
Quick check
Quick check. A shocking video of a famous person appears in your WhatsApp group. What should you do first? Check whether trusted news websites are reporting it. If they aren't, it may well be fake. Options: Check if trusted news sites are reporting it; Forward it to all your groups; Believe it because it looks real; Add an angry comment.
Recap
Deepfakes are fake videos, pictures and voices made with A I. Look for clues, but don't rely on them. Check the source, and trusted news. Stop, check, then share.
Key points
- A deepfake is a fake video, picture or voice made with AI, showing someone saying or doing something they never did.
- Clues include odd details (hands, teeth, ears), lips that don't match the words, shocking content and unknown sources.
- Deepfakes are getting harder to spot, so check the source and whether trusted news sites are reporting it.
- Stop, check, then share: check who posted it, search trusted news, try a reverse image search like Google Lens, and don't share if unsure.
Try it: The real-or-fake challenge
Part 1 of your Unit 6 project. For each post, choose the smartest response.