Deepfakes: The End of ‘Seeing is Believing’

When a story appears too good to be true, you might have heard the saying “seeing is believing.” The notion implies that if you witness something happening, even in a video or picture, it must be real or truly occurred. Not anymore. AI technology has advanced and Deepfakes (images, audio and video) are getting better and harder to detect.

The challenge of detecting Deepfakes is growing as their usage rises, especially when celebrities and high-profile politicians become targets. While certain instances may be easy to spot due to video or image quality concerns, others are more inconspicuous, like a politician endorsing a cause that contradicts their beliefs, such as the video of Hillary Clinton endorsing Ron DeSantis for President or the picture of the Pope in a stylish white puffy coat.

Deepfake attacks against companies are becoming a looming concern, and consumers are highly susceptible to believing their content. Imagine encountering a video apparently from a company leader, announcing a product delay or a serious defect recall – you’d likely believe it, as there seems to be no motive for someone to fabricate such content.

Disreputable business competitors have compelling reasons to create doubt, even if it’s only temporary. For instance, imagine a scenario where a business competes for a major contract, and a video surfaces seemingly proving the company’s deception and inability to deliver as promised. This undermines their chances of securing the contract, ultimately benefiting the competitor who may have orchestrated or promoted the fake video to win the sale.

Prepare For An AI Crisis Now

It is crucial for businesses to proactively prepare for potential attacks and enhance their crisis communications plans by incorporating Deepfake-related scenarios and strategies for safeguarding their reputation.

The good news is that many existing crisis communications plans and internal structures will still be relevant. However, it’s important to note that defending against an AI and Deepfake-related crisis requires a different approach from what most companies have traditionally prepared for. When dealing with a Deepfake Crisis, two significant changes come into play within the traditional PR crisis plans:

Acknowledging and responding quickly during a crisis has always been crucial, but when dealing with Deepfakes, mounting a rapid and comprehensive defense becomes even more essential. Deepfakes have the inherent ability to spread rapidly, particularly through social media, leading to exponential growth. Unlike traditional media outlets, which offer more time for investigation and providing thorough responses, Deepfakes demand immediate action to mitigate their impact effectively.
In countering Deepfakes, mere denial of their authenticity falls short. It is imperative to provide substantial evidence and proof that discredits their validity. Third-party, independent verification significantly enhances the credibility and strength of your defense.

Take action now and arrange your team and Deepfake Detection software or forensic experts. Waiting until you’re in the midst of a crisis leaves no time.