Is the end of authenticity at the hands of artificial intelligence?

By Sebastián Stranieri - Founder and CEO of VU

Imagine receiving an email with photos of yourself, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), in intimate and compromising situations. Even though they are false, the images seem incredibly real. The sender demands money, threatening to release them.?

In another case, AI could replicate the voice of public figures, such as athletes, singers, or actors, creating fake audios that could be used to deceive their fans or scam others. An innocent message could become a powerful tool for fraud.?

With the surge and evolution of AI, our traditional methods of discerning between reality and fiction are being challenged. The new technology has introduced unprecedented challenges and dangers, and we are all susceptible to falling into its traps. Therefore, to confront these new forms of attack, cybersecurity is continuously evolving.?

Deepfakes and Identity Verification?

Advances in deepfake technology, for example, are starting to raise serious questions about online authenticity and identity verification. An increasing number of organizations rely on remote identity verification processes, where users must present an image of their ID and then a selfie for authentication.?

Detecting these deepfakes is essential for any cybersecurity strategy based on digital identity, whether by identifying the deepfake itself, focusing on detecting anomalies in metadata, or in life-proof detection, where users are asked to perform specific actions to prove their authenticity. And, of course, there's also the need to detect falsified ID document images.?

Possible Solutions and Prevention Tips?

• Education and awareness: It's crucial for us to be informed about the capabilities and limitations of AI. We need to know how to recognize potential deceptions and not take everything we see or hear online for granted.?
• Transparency in AI development: Companies should be transparent about how they train and refine their AI models. This can help identify and correct biases or inaccuracies.?
• Updated legislation: It is essential for laws to be updated to address the challenges presented by AI. Victims of non-consensual deepfakes, for instance, need clear and effective legal protections.?
• Reporting mechanisms: Platforms using AI, like OpenAI or Meta, should allow users to report inaccurate answers or false information and act swiftly to correct these errors.?
• Fact-checking: Before taking action, it's vital to verify information from multiple sources. If something seems too good or too bad to be true, it probably isn't.?

Education and Adequate Tools?

In conclusion, AI, despite its countless benefits and advancements, is not without flaws and dangers. As a society, we need to be prepared, informed, and proactive in our interaction with this powerful technology.?

Threats like deepfakes are serious, but not insurmountable. Organizations must be at the forefront, adopting proactive and adaptive approaches to face these challenges. With proper education and the right tools, we can navigate this new digital ocean with confidence and security.?