“The Picture and Videos Are So Real It’s Hard to Tell”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes have become a prominent tool to spread disinformation – posing a threat to credible information.

Deepfakes are described as synthetic media (usually videos, audio recordings or images) that are manipulated or generated by using artificial intelligence (AI) to make it appear someone said or did something they never actually did.

It’s a serious global issue, with even the potential to affect election outcomes.

Dr. Bright Gameli – Keynote Speaker

“I’m a bit worried when it comes to elections that are coming in the near future because the reality part of it, the pictures and the videos are so real it’s hard to tell.”

There may be a bit worry when Kenyan global expert in cyber security and intelligence threats, Dr. Bright Gameli, sounds the alarm.

Dr. Gameli was a keynote speaker at the recent Aliv Business Cyber Security Conference.

Dr. Bright Gameli – Keynote Speaker

“Due to the sophistication of even the tools we have right now, the tools are able to take your face, your voice, your pictures and manipulate it to say anything.”

The threats are more dangerous when users are quick to believe without any verification.

So, what do we do, when there’s so much coming at us, all the time?

Dr. Gameli suggests this first:

“When you see a video, when you see some news, even the news that coming out, verify them,” he said.

Next, if you’re a politician or government, use official platforms to send out information.

Dr. Bright Gameli – Keynote Speaker

“So, if it was a video that was about them, then let them go back and say this is not me. They have to use official channels, and this is also goes to the government. The government needs to be involved and say this is the official channel that is going to verify information that is out there.”

Dr. Gameli also says that as individual users, we too have a responsibility.

“A normal user should just look at their lip expression, look at how fast the person is speaking. Look at even the context of what the person is supposedly saying.”

“Just take a pause. Don’t rush to make a decision, and be able to understand what you are seeing,” he said.

He also encourages persons to work with social media platforms.

“They are able to flag fake news, fake information, and a lot more [are] working with the Tik Toks and everything. They can actually prove and say its false, and they can help delete them,” Gameli said.