Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating deepfake videos, labeling it a “big concern” during his address at the BJP’s Diwali Milan programme in Delhi. In a proactive move, the Prime Minister announced that he has instructed the ChatGpt team to identify and flag deepfake videos and issue warnings when such content circulates on the internet.
PM Modi highlighted the unsettling reality of deepfake technology by citing an example involving himself. He mentioned having recently come across a deepfake video in which he appeared to be singing a Garba song, underscoring that numerous such manipulated videos exist online. This revelation emphasizes the gravity of the issue and the potential for misinformation.
In addition to raising awareness about the problem of deepfakes, Prime Minister Modi called upon the media to play an active role in educating the public on this growing threat. He stressed the importance of responsible technology usage in the era of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing that advancements in AI should be accompanied by ethical considerations and responsible conduct.
The concerns surrounding deepfake technology were further exacerbated by a recent incident. A video surfaced on social media featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna’s face digitally superimposed onto another woman’s body. The original video showcased British-Indian social media personality Zara Patel in workout attire inside an elevator, with Patel’s face ingeniously replaced with Mandanna’s through artificial intelligence.
The uproar caused by this video has triggered widespread calls for the regulation of deepfake technology. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister for Electronics & Technology, also weighed in on the matter through a social media platform, X. He characterized deepfakes as a “more dangerous and damaging form of misinformation” and emphasized the imperative role of social media platforms in addressing this issue. Chandrasekhar further cited the legal obligations of social media platforms and IT rules pertaining to digital deception, highlighting the urgency of a coordinated response to combat the spread of deepfakes.
