Advanced artificial intelligence has entered the realm of student politics in India, as deepfake videos portraying prominent global figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have been utilized to sway votes in Delhi University's student elections.
In these digitally manipulated campaign materials, an AI-generated likeness of former U.S. President Donald Trump was seen endorsing a candidate named Kunal Chaudhary for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), commending his perceived strength and intellect. Similarly, a digital doppelgänger of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appeared against a cosmic backdrop, likening the candidate's trajectory to a rocket's ascent. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's AI counterpart also joined the campaign, urging students to view their vote for ballot number three as an investment in the future, as reported by Mint, an Indian business publication.
The use of deepfake technology in these student elections underscores its increasing integration into political campaigning worldwide. Although these instances in India appeared to be used in a relatively humorous context, experts are sounding alarms about the broader implications and dangers associated with such AI-generated content. Concerns extend to the potential for widespread disinformation and fraudulent activities. Past incidents have demonstrated this risk, including a global engineering firm that lost $25 million due to a deepfake impersonation of a CFO during a video call, and a South Korean woman who was defrauded of $50,000 by scammers using AI-generated images and videos to impersonate Elon Musk.
The increasing sophistication and accessibility of AI technology demand careful consideration and proactive measures to prevent its misuse. While it offers innovative tools, its potential for deception in areas like politics and finance requires robust safeguards and public awareness to protect against manipulation and fraud. Upholding truth and integrity in the digital age is paramount for maintaining trust and stability in society.