Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

Science & Tech Spotlight: Deepfakes

  Premium   Download PDF Now (2 pages)
Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Feb. 20, 2020
Release Date Feb. 20, 2020
Report No. GAO-20-379SP
Summary:

A deepfake is a video, photo, or audio recording that seems real but has been manipulated with artificial intelligence technologies. Deepfakes are usually pornographic and disproportionately victimize women. However, deepfakes can also be used to influence elections or incite civil unrest.

Anyone with basic computing skills and a home computer can create a deepfake. Some methods to detect deepfakes use AI to analyze videos for details that deepfakes fail to imitate realistically—such as blinking or facial tics.

However, detection is challenging because deepfake technologies evolve rapidly.

Potential errors in deepfakes

Illustration showing errors in inconsistent eye blinking, mismatched earrings, and features lacking definition

Illustration showing errors in inconsistent eye blinking, mismatched earrings, and features lacking definition

« Return to search Government Accountability Office reports