The UK authorities determined to wage struggle on specific deepfakes. About time, proper? However earlier than we begin celebrating, let’s take a better look.
The actual fact is that this isn’t about expertise, it’s about human behaviour. The federal government isn’t attempting to outright ban deepfakes, which might be unattainable, to be trustworthy. They’re focusing on the misuse of this tech for nefarious functions.
However this is the million-dollar query: Does it actually matter if an specific picture is a deepfake or hand-crafted by somebody with an excessive amount of time and photoshop abilities? The tip consequence is identical – somebody’s privateness and dignity being violated sooner than you possibly can say “synthetic intelligence.”
The true problem right here is that it doesn’t matter whether or not you are utilizing cutting-edge synthetic intelligence (AI) or a crayon to create non-consensual specific content material, you are still within the improper.
Legal guidelines towards deepfakes are an excellent begin, nevertheless it’s not sufficient, we additionally want a cultural shift. We have to foster an atmosphere the place respect for others’ privateness and consent is as ingrained because the British love for queuing or complaining in regards to the climate.
Do not get me improper, I am all for the federal government taking motion. However, this looks like treating a symptom, not the illness. The illness is a scarcity of digital ethics and empathy…and sadly, there isn’t any patch or fast repair for that.
So, how will we successfully deal with this? Schooling, for starters. We have to train digital ethics from an early age. Make it as basic as studying to tie your shoelaces or not consuming yellow snow. We have to create a tradition the place the considered creating or sharing non-consensual specific content material – deepfake or in any other case – is as abhorrent as… properly, consuming yellow snow.
Whereas I applaud the UK authorities for taking steps to handle specific deepfakes, let’s not lose sight of the larger image. It isn’t in regards to the expertise; it is in regards to the people behind it. We have to give attention to altering behaviours, fostering respect, and making a digital world the place consent and privateness are sacred.
