Does It Matter? Do You Really Want To Find Out If They're Real Humans Or Fake Humans?

With the rise of social media, it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate reality from the carefully curated online personas we present. Are the people we see online truly who they appear to be? Or are we all just putting on a show?

It's a question that's been debated for years, and it's only become more relevant as social media has become an integral part of our lives. Some argue that the pressure to maintain a perfect image online can lead people to hide their true selves. Others believe that social media can be a platform for genuine connection and self-expression.

Many people are seeking ways to maintain their youthfulness and attractiveness. Some opt for natural approaches like taking supplements or drinking collagen, while others choose more invasive options like cosmetic surgery or aesthetic treatments. For those looking for a quicker and less invasive solution, beauty apps like Meitu or BeautyCam offer a range of editing tools to enhance their appearance. Popular edits include slimming the face, sharpening the chin, and enlarging the eyes to create a more youthful and vibrant look.

And when AI comes, the magic happens.

Developers have created so many more apps to fulfill the insatiable human need to remain young, beautiful, and handsome.

We chase after our own set of beauty benchmarks, don't we?

So, tell me, have you used any AI-powered apps or platforms to enhance your appearance before posting content online lately? If so, why did you choose to use them? Was it to build a better image in front of the camera, to edit out those unexpected brain freezes and memory lapses in your scripts, or to fix your eye contact level on the screen?

These features weren't widely available just two years ago!

In just a short time, I've seen incredible progress in this area.

And while many people are excited about these possibilities, there are also growing concerns about face-swapping in photos and videos, or even creating AI avatars (AI Twins) of ourselves.

These realistic versions of us can be so convincing that it's hard to tell what's real and what's fake.        

Do you ever stop to wonder if those people you see on your desktop or laptop screens are real or just "digital fakes"?

Does it really matter?

It's a fascinating question, isn't it?

Back in 2020, there were businesses that sold fake people. On Generated.Photos, you could buy a "unique, worry-free" fake person for $2.99, or get 1,000 for $1,000. If you just needed a few fake people—for characters in a video game or to make your company website look more diverse—you could grab their photos for free on ThisPersonDoesNotExist.com. You could even tweak their looks, make them older or younger or change their ethnicity. And if you wanted your fake person animated, a company called Rosebud.AI could do that and even make them talk.

These simulated people started popping up all over the internet, used as masks by real people with bad intentions: spies trying to sneak into the intelligence community with a charming face, right-wing propagandists hiding behind fake profiles (photo and all), and online harassers who troll their targets with a friendly look.

It's September 2024, the technology behind these digital avatars had advanced even further. Companies began integrating these synthetic individuals into customer service roles, where lifelike bots could answer queries without a human in sight. This practice expanded to marketing campaigns, where these artificial faces promoted products on social media, creating a seamless experience that fooled even the savviest consumers.

However, the rise of these digital personas was not without controversy. Ethical concerns surged about privacy violations and identity theft. Critics argued that it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and synthetic, raising questions about authenticity and trust. Governments struggled to keep up with regulations, and the debate prompted heated discussions about the responsible use of such technology.

Despite the challenges, the development of 'fake people' continued unabated. Designers refined their algorithms, pushing the boundaries of what these virtual beings could do. Some envisioned a future where digital avatars could serve as companions for the elderly or as teachers in remote learning environments. The possibilities seemed endless, limited only by our imagination and ethical considerations.

Do you know who is Joshua Xu, the CEO and Co-Founder of HeyGen?

Joshua Xu, Co-Founder and CEO of HeyGen, is a tech innovator with a strong background in computer science. He holds a Master of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University and honed his skills during his six years at Snapchat, where he served as a key engineering leader. At Snapchat, Xu spearheaded advancements in advertising technology, recommendation systems, and AI-powered camera technology. In 2020, he co-founded HeyGen, bringing his expertise to the forefront of the digital avatar revolution. - Information sourced from Google.com

Real or Fake: The Challenge of Identifying AI

One thing I want to commend Joshua for is that he put himself out there.

He created a template for his digital avatar, which is one of the many available on his platform. Now, many people use his digital avatar to create videos for all industries. As you can see in the screenshot, there are AI-driven influencers, jewelry, and many more topics.

Would you do the same, knowing what you know now?

Our faces tell a story.

They reveal our age, our gender, our mood, even our intentions.

This intricate dance of perception is fundamental to how we connect with others.

But what if we let AI take over this role?

Will it see the world in the same way we do?

Or will it create a new reality, one shaped by algorithms and data?

As AI systems get more advanced, it gets trickier to tell apart human and machine interactions. This challenge pops up a lot in online chats and social media, where bots strike up conversations and reply to messages just like humans. Even though spotting AI can be tough, there are a few clues that can help you figure it out.

One of the biggest giveaways is how fast and coherent the response is. AI can process info and reply instantly, while humans usually need a bit more time to think.        

Also, pay attention to the language and vocabulary.

AI tends to use specific phrases and patterns that might feel a bit off compared to what a person would say. And, let's be real, AI often struggles with idioms or sarcasm (we humans are pretty good at catching those).

Another clue is how consistent the interaction is.

Humans have mood swings, make mistakes, and sometimes contradict themselves.

But AI?

It's usually consistent and predictable.

As AI becomes a bigger part of our daily lives, it's important to learn how to tell the difference between real humans and machines. Knowing these signs can help us avoid scams and interact better with customer service bots. And with AI tech constantly improving, this skill will just keep getting more important in the coming years. The line between the virtual and the real will continue to blur, altering our perceptions of identity and reality. It is important that as we navigate this evolving landscape, we do so with a vigilant eye on ethical implications, ensuring that technology serves humanity without compromising our core values.

Sooner or later, you need to go through this process when you visit any websites. For those who are unfamiliar, CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is designed to distinguish humans from bots.

By requiring users to complete simple tasks that are easy for humans but difficult for machines, CAPTCHAs help prevent bots from automating tasks like spam, account creation, or online voting.

While CAPTCHAs have been effective in the past, they are not foolproof. As AI and ML technologies continue to advance, new and more sophisticated CAPTCHA methods are being developed to stay ahead of evolving bot threats.

What do you think? Are there still any truly authentic people left online? Or are we all just playing a part?

It's a question that's only going to get bigger in the years to come, when AI gets so good it might even be better than our human friends. Imagine if algorithms knew us better than we know ourselves. They could be the perfect partners – always saying the right thing, always knowing how to make us happy. So, we might need to start thinking about what makes us uniquely human, something AI can never have.

What is it?

References

1) Are You a Real Person? Proving You're Human Online,written by Dan Lohrmann, published on Aug 06, 2023, https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/are-you-a-real-person-proving-youre-human-online

2) Are These People Real or AI? As published on Sapienship.co website, https://lab.sapienship.co/are-these-people-real-or-ai/

3) Designed to Deceive: Do These People Look Real to You? written by Kashmir Hill and Jeremy White published on Nov 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/21/science/artificial-intelligence-fake-people-faces.html

4) Real human or AI fake? How to know the difference? As published on https://www.mylearningspace.com.au/news/real-human-or-ai-fake

5) CAPTCHA screenshot taken on https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240306003456.htm

About Jean

Jean Ng is the creative director of JHN studio and the creator and designer of the world's first B2B AI influencer, DouDou . Jean has a background in Web 3.0 and blockchain technology, and is passionate about using these AI tools to create highly engaging content for the tech industry. With big ambitions and a keen eye for the future, she's inspired to be a futurist in the AI and Web 3.0 industry.

AI Influencer, DouDou

DouDou has virtually tried on over 566 outfits so far. She promotes sustainable fashion and is interested in collaborating with fashion designers. If you're a designer looking to work with her, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Talk to my AI.

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