Deepfakes, distrust, democracy: The battle for trust in 2024

Welcome back to The Tech Thread, your go-to spot for making sense of the fast-changing tech world without getting lost in the jargon. We’re all about breaking down big ideas and making them relevant to what’s happening right now.

And let's face it. There's nothing more relevant and widely talked about than AI and all the incredible things it can do. It’s creating art, writing stories, and, in some cases, fooling us into believing things that aren’t real. As this line blurs, it’s time to ask: Are we ready for what comes next?

With the pivotal United States (US) elections just around the corner, another pressing question is: What are we doing to safeguard election integrity??AI-powered misinformation and disinformation are spreading like wildfire, and the threat they pose to democracy is very real. So, how can we protect one of our most fundamental rights—our vote—when the truth itself is under attack?

Deepfake dangers: The new face of cybercrime?

The first time we witnessed deepfake technology, it was mesmerizing. The tech behind it? Amazing. But fascination quickly turns into concern when you realize how easy it is to misuse.

We’ve already seen AI-generated videos of celebrities, CEOs, and politicians used to spread false information. Take Taylor Swift, arguably the most influential celebrity at present, who recently had a deepfake of her on X falsely endorsing Donald Trump. By the time the "inauthentic media" warning appears, how many people have already formed their opinions about her political leanings? And after all, we don't have the best track record of verifying information before we share it.

And this is not a scenario that is isolated to any one side of the political spectrum. A video using AI voice-cloning technology recently emerged, making it sound as if US Vice President Kamala Harris had said things she never actually did. With Election Day just a few months away, the dangers of AI disinformation couldn’t be more obvious.

This isn’t just about tech evolving; it’s about trust eroding . When you can no longer believe what you see or hear, it’s a whole new ballgame.

Corrupting the data, corrupting the truth

With the whole world online, the internet has become the source of both truth and lies. So think of what happens when this online space is infected with misinformation?

There's a new phenomenon called digital infection in cybersecurity, and it's threatening the integrity of the systems we rely on every day. Bad actors inject fake, AI-generated data into critical information pipelines, such as business operations and public databases. In short, it's fake data with real consequences.

For businesses, this means that algorithms trained on corrupted data could start making decisions based on faulty inputs, ultimately leading to disastrous outcomes. For governments, the stakes are even higher. Digital infection could corrupt voter databases, disrupt public services, or even interfere with national security. If AI-generated data starts poisoning decision-making processes, the ripple effects would be catastrophic.

How can we fight back?

Ironically, AI itself can be used to combat AI-generated threats. New tools detect deepfakes and other synthetic content by analyzing visual cues like unnatural blinking patterns, subtle facial distortions, and audio inconsistencies. As these detection methods improve, we can get better at identifying fakes before they go viral. Social media platforms, where most misinformation spreads, have an essential role to play, and they’ll need to step up their game in the months leading up to the election. The pressure is on them to implement stricter detection and moderation methods.

While we need to address the threat of AI-powered disinformation, there’s an equally important discussion to be had: How do we balance the fight against disinformation with protecting free speech? The battle for truth is just beginning, and it’s one we all have a role in.

On the one hand, nobody wants to see false information tearing apart the fabric of society. On the other, overregulating content online could lead to censorship or stifling freedom of expression.

If governments or platforms start taking down any content that could be potentially harmful, where does it stop? What happens if satire, parody, or dissenting opinions get caught in the crossfire?

Who gets to have the final say in what stays up and what comes down? Some are pushing for government regulation to step in , but then again, we have to consider who controls the narrative. If governments gain too much power over online content, there’s a risk of political agendas influencing what gets censored or promoted.

Ultimately, the question is about where we draw the line between protecting the public from harmful disinformation and safeguarding the right to free speech. There’s no easy answer, but it’s a conversation we need to have, especially as we move toward a future where AI will continue to blur the boundaries between reality and fabrication.

We’ll soon be questioning everything we see and read, and perhaps, the most powerful tool we will have is awareness.