Disinformation experts have long warned that with few laws to manage the spread of this technology, videos deepfake they could further diminish people’s ability to discern the reality of online counterfeits and could be misused to spark riots or cause political outrage. These predictions have now come true.

Although the use of wrong wrong While the recently uncovered pro-China disinformation campaign was clumsy, it opens a new chapter in information warfare. In recent weeks, another video using similar artificial intelligence technology has surfaced online, showing fictional people describing themselves as Americans, promoting support for the government of Burkina Faso, which is under intense scrutiny. for its links with Russia.

The AI ​​software, which can be easily purchased online, lets you create “videos in minutes, and subscriptions start at a few dollars a month,” says Stubbs. “It makes it easier to produce content at scale.”

Graphika linked the two fake Wolf News anchors to technology from Synthesia, an artificial intelligence company based on the top floor of a clothing store in London’s Oxford Circus area.

The five-year-old startup creates software to generate ultra-realistic fake avatars. The client only has to write a script which is then read by one of the digital actors created with Synthesia tools.

According to Synthesia, the AI ​​avatars are “digital twins” based on the appearance of engaged actors and can be manipulated to speak in 120 languages ​​and accents. It offers over 85 characters to choose from with different genders, ages, ethnicities, voice tones, and clothing options.

An AI character, named George, looks like a seasoned business executive with graying hair and wears a blue jacket and shirt. Another, Helia, wears a hijab. Carlo, another avatar, wears a helmet. Samuel wears a white coat like those worn by doctors. (Customers can also use Synthesia to create their own avatars based on themselves or others who have given them permission.)