April 24, 2024

expert reaction to survey of tech experts on concerns of AI deepfakes use in the general election, as published by BCS

Scientists react to a deepfakes and AI survey published by BCS. 

Dr Andrew Rogoyski, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, University of Surrey, said:

“Fake news is sadly nothing new, but AI deepfakes offer a powerful new tool to spread misinformation. It is almost inevitable they will be deployed during many elections worldwide in 2024.

“If we don’t get a grip on fakery, it’ll undermine our already fragile trust in decision makers and institutions, with the potential to damage lives, economies and society.

“Yet there is plenty that we should be doing about this collectively, right now. 

“The public need to be supported to enable them to spot a deepfake. Politicians should pledge not to use them in their own campaigning. Media organisations should commit to using digital watermarks to flag AI generated content.

“What’s more, the UK should invest in academic research in this area to keep us at the cutting edge of the threats, to build the much needed skills base that we’ll need and to create radical new countermeasures to create new ways to detect deepfakes. 

“This could and should be happening now, and our leaders need to grasp the nettle urgently.”

‘BCS’ Deepfakes, AI and the General Election survey’ was published at 00:01 UK TIME on Wednesday 24 April 2024. 

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