As the world grapples with the rise of nationalism vs. globalism and political stances are polarizing; the proliferation of false content to confuse or obfuscate reality is happening. The need for reliable and verifiable information has never been more pressing. In this landscape, trusted and watermarked AI-generated content can serve as a critical safeguard for the human race.

Firstly, the ability to distinguish AI-generated content from human-created material is essential in combating the spread of misinformation. Malicious actors can leverage the power of AI to generate convincing text, images, and videos that appear to be authentic, but are in fact fabricated. This poses a grave threat to the integrity of public discourse and the ability of individuals to make informed decisions. By implementing robust watermarking techniques, we can empower users to identify AI-generated content and mitigate the impact of these deceptive practices.

Moreover, trusted AI-generated content can serve as a valuable resource for disseminating accurate and reliable information. As traditional media outlets face increasing challenges, AI-powered content creation can help fill the void, providing high-quality, fact-based material that is verifiably generated by AI systems. This can be particularly useful in areas where human-generated content may be scarce or biased, such as in regions with limited press freedoms or during times of crisis.

Importantly, the development of trusted AI-generated content must be accompanied by strong governance frameworks and ethical guidelines. Policymakers and industry leaders must work together to establish standards and protocols that ensure the responsible and transparent use of these technologies. This includes measures to prevent the misuse of AI for the creation of harmful or manipulative content, as well as mechanisms to hold AI developers and content creators accountable.

In a world where the line between truth and fiction is increasingly blurred, trusted and watermarked AI-generated content can serve as a bulwark against the tide of misinformation. By empowering users to distinguish fact from fiction and providing a reliable source of information, we can safeguard the integrity of our public discourse and protect the well-being of the human race.

What if nobody cares?

If human-generated content and deepfake content or AI generated content are merged, it could have significant implications:

The blending of real and synthetic media would make it extremely difficult to distinguish what is authentic and what is fabricated. This could enable malicious actors to create highly convincing disinformation campaigns that undermine trust in institutions, media, and even historical records.

For example, a deepfake video could show a politician making false statements, which they could then claim is a fabrication, sowing doubt and confusion. This “liar’s dividend” could allow bad actors to evade accountability and manipulate public discourse.

Additionally, the combination of human-generated and deepfake content could be used to create nonconsensual pornography, impersonate individuals for fraud, or spread propaganda at scale. The potential for abuse and harm to individuals and society would be greatly amplified.

Experts warn that as deepfake technology continues to advance, reliably detecting these synthetic media will become increasingly challenging, if not impossible. This underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach involving technological, regulatory, and educational solutions to address the growing threat.

In summary, the merging of real and deepfake content would create an environment of widespread uncertainty and distrust, posing significant risks to privacy, democracy, and societal well-being. Vigilance and coordinated efforts will be crucial to mitigate the negative impacts of this emerging challenge.

What are the Pros and Cons of this happening?

The emergence of deepfake technology, or any AI generated content, presents a complex philosophical debate regarding the merging of human-generated and AI-generated content in society. There are valid arguments on both sides:

Pro for merging:

• Deepfakes can be used to create new forms of art, entertainment, and creative expression by blending human and AI capabilities.
• Deepfakes could help restore or enhance old media, like bringing deceased actors back to life in films.
• AI-generated content can help automate and scale content creation, making it more accessible and efficient.

Con for merging:

• Deepfakes undermine trust and the ability to discern truth from fiction, which can have serious societal consequences like enabling fraud, misinformation, and manipulation.
• Nonconsensual deepfake pornography can severely damage the reputation and dignity of individuals, especially public figures. We are already seeing major litigation in regards to human nonconsensual videos on these platforms.
• The proliferation of undetectable AI-generated content can erode the credibility of journalism, academia, and other important institutions that society relies on. The reaction of the press recently around the human enhanced images of the Royals is another example of how journalists need to maintain a high level of trust.

Ultimately, the merging of human and AI-generated content does change our reality and perception of truth. While there are potential benefits, the risks of deepfakes to individual privacy, democratic discourse, and social cohesion are significant. Robust detection methods, ethical guidelines, and legal frameworks will be crucial to mitigate the harms while responsibly harnessing the positive potential of this technology. The philosophical debate continues on how to balance innovation with the preservation of truth and human dignity in the age of deepfakes.

These changes are happening right in front of you, so what will you do?

References:

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/03/25/commentary-bringing-people-and-technology-together-to-combat-the-threat-of-deepfakes/
https://originality.ai/blog/the-13-societal-costs-of-undetectable-ai-content
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/increasing_threats_of_deepfake_identities_0.pdf
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2056305120903408
https://becominghuman.ai/how-deepfake-technology-impact-the-people-in-our-society-e071df4ffc5c?gi=11829d22aeaa

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/increasing_threats_of_deepfake_identities_0.pdf
https://withpersona.com/blog/what-are-deepfakes
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/deepfake
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/05/ai-deepfakes-detection/
https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/deepfakes-explained

https://www.steampunkai.com/why-watermarking-ai-content-makes/
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/detecting-ai-fingerprints-a-guide-to-watermarking-and-beyond/
https://www.itic.org/policy/ITI_AIContentAuthorizationPolicy_122123.pdf
https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/02/watermarking_security_checks/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ethereum/comments/111ra7v/as_ai_content_becomes_indistinguishable_from/

[Commentary: Bringing people and technology together to combat the threat of deepfakes – Maryland Matters
The 13 Societal Costs of Undetectable AI Content – Originality.AI
Increasing Threat of DeepFake Identities – Homeland Security
Deepfakes and Disinformation: Exploring the Impact of Synthetic Political Video on Deception, Uncertainty, and Trust in News – Sage Journals
How Deepfake Technology Impact the People in Our Society? by Buzz Blog Box