In recent times, there has been significant progress in the field of artificial intelligence. Advanced solutions developed through research have made AI seem less artificial and more intelligent. The advancements are so substantial that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The latest developments in ChatGPT, Bing, and Bard showcase this trend. Even though there is still room for improvement, the progress made so far is impressive.
The founder of Bellingcat, Eliot Higgins, recently shared a series of images on social media depicting the arrest of former President Donald Trump. The photos showed reactions, riots, and violent scenes that Twitter would not allow due to their graphic nature. However, the reason behind the images is based on truth – Donald Trump is potentially facing arrest for allegedly paying a porn star to keep their past relationship a secret. However, everything else depicted in the images is completely false, including the police chase and forced labor in prison. Another user even added an imaginary scenario in which Trump ends up as Putin’s cellmate in 2024, with a romantic connection between the two.
Making pictures of Trump getting arrested while waiting for Trump's arrest. pic.twitter.com/4D2QQfUpLZ
— Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) March 20, 2023
The images produced by the Midjourney v5 software are disturbing due to their ability to present false information as truth. This highlights how much artificial intelligence has progressed, making it challenging for humans to differentiate between what is real and what is not. While the technology is impressive, it raises ethical concerns.
AI is no longer exclusive to a few individuals; anyone can create a 100% fake image with a computer and appropriate software. However, the issue arises when AI is used for nefarious purposes. For instance, in 2015, Ilary Blasi was discredited when someone created deep fake images of her naked in the shower. The perpetrator used clips from an American adult film and attempted to sell them to tabloids. This example illustrates how difficult it is to identify deep fakes, even eight years ago.
There are other, potentially worse examples of the negative impact of deep fakes, such as their use in pornography, discrediting individuals, and spreading false information in times of war. This abundance of fake information puts us in a challenging position, as we must question what we believe.
