The increasing prevalence of photorealistic AI-generated images on social media platforms has led to a new wave of skepticism towards digital content. This phenomenon, coined as “deep doubt,” refers to the broad public skepticism towards the veracity of media artifacts, making it easier for individuals to deny real events and claim that documentary evidence was fabricated using AI tools.
Deep doubt is the skepticism of real media that stems from the existence of generative AI. This concept is not new, but its real-world impact is becoming increasingly apparent. The rapid evolution of AI-generated media capabilities has led to recent examples of deep doubt in action, including conspiracy theorists claiming that President Joe Biden has been replaced by an AI-powered hologram.
The Rise of Deepfakes
The rise of deep-learning technology has made it increasingly easy for people to craft false or modified pictures, audio, text, or video that appear to be non-synthesized organic media. Deepfakes were named after a Reddit user who shared AI-faked pornography on the service, swapping out the face of a performer with the face of someone else who wasn’t part of the original recording.
Impact on Society
The deep doubt phenomenon will erode our trust in media produced by others, affecting our political discourse, legal systems, and even our shared understanding of historical events. Our perception of what we consider “truth” in media will need recalibration. In April, a panel of federal judges highlighted the potential for AI-generated deepfakes to introduce fake evidence and cast doubt on genuine evidence in court trials.
The consequences of deep doubt are far-reaching, and it is essential to address this issue to maintain trust in digital media. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to develop strategies to authenticate digital evidence and prevent the spread of misinformation.