This Deepfake technology, once reserved for experts, is now within reach of anyone with an internet connection. Professor Hany Farid of the University of California, Berkeley

1. The Dark Side of AI: Deep-
Fake Technology Threatens
Trust

(Source – World Tech Festival)
The Rise of AI Manipulation
Artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a new frontier, and its power is more accessible than
ever before. Manipulating recorded sounds and images isn’t a novel concept, but the ease
with which individuals can alter information is a recent development. Generative AI, a subset
of AI, enables the creation of hyper-realistic images, videos, and audio clips. This Deepfake
technology, once reserved for experts, is now within reach of anyone with an internet
connection. Professor Hany Farid of the University of California, Berkeley, emphasizes that
the past year has seen a significant surge in the accessibility and affordability of this
technology. With just a few bucks a month, anyone can upload snippets of someone’s voice
and generate cloned speech from typed words, marking a concerning democratization of
manipulation capabilities.
Maryland Case Highlights Dangers
Last week, a troubling incident unfolded in a Maryland high school, shedding light on the
dark potential of AI manipulation. Authorities in Baltimore County revealed that the principal
of Pikesville High, Eric Eiswert, became a victim of AI-generated deception. The school’s

2. athletic director, Dazhon Darien, allegedly cloned Eiswert’s voice to create a fake recording
containing racist and antisemitic comments. The doctored audio, initially circulated via email
among teachers, quickly spread across social media platforms. The emergence of this
recording coincided with Eiswert raising concerns about Darien’s job performance and
possible financial misconduct, leading to the principal being placed on leave. As the incident
unfolded, police guarded Eiswert’s residence while the school faced a barrage of angry calls
and hate-fueled messages. Forensic analysis indicated traces of AI-generated content with
human editing, signaling a worrying trend in the misuse of advanced Deepfake technology
for nefarious purposes.
Addressing the Threat and Moving Forward
The prevalence of AI-generated disinformation, particularly in audio form, underscores the
urgent need for proactive measures. While some companies implementing AI voice-
generating technology claim to enforce prohibitions against harmful usage, self-regulation
remains inconsistent. Suggestions for mitigating risks include requiring users to provide
identifying information and implementing digital watermarks on recordings and images.
Additionally, increased law enforcement action against criminal misuse of AI, coupled with
enhanced consumer education, could serve as effective interventions. However, navigating
the ethical complexities surrounding AI regulation presents challenges, with considerations
for positive applications of the Deepfake technology, such as translation services. Achieving
international consensus on ethical standards further complicates the landscape, given varying
cultural attitudes toward AI usage. As society grapples with the implications of AI
manipulation, addressing these multifaceted challenges is paramount to safeguarding trust
and integrity in the digital age.