The Rise of Deepfake Technology
In a world where technology evolves at a rapid pace, Jeremy Cordeaux discusses the alarming rise of deepfake technology in this episode of The Court of Public Opinion. Deepfakes, highly realistic digital forgeries, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. “Seeing is no longer believing,” Jeremy warns, highlighting how easy it is to be deceived by this advanced technology.
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Sharing his own experience, Jeremy recounts receiving fake investment pitches, supposedly from well-known Australian business figures like Dick Smith and Gina Rinehart. “I got this very convincing video, supposedly from Dick Smith, encouraging me to invest in a new venture,” he recalls. It wasn’t until he looked more closely that he realised the video was a deepfake. This personal experience underscores the growing danger of deepfake technology in everyday interactions, where even the most sceptical individuals can be fooled.
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Potential for Chaos
The potential chaos caused by deepfakes is one of Jeremy’s greatest concerns. He raises a chilling question during the episode: “What could you do? You could have a deepfake presentation of the Prime Minister declaring war or the President of the United States invading Russia.”
Jeremy goes on to explain that deepfakes are not just a threat to individuals but have the potential to destabilise governments and cause global crises. “Imagine the chaos if a well-timed deepfake appeared during an international conflict,” he says. The consequences of this technology could be devastating, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. According to Jeremy, the combination of realistic video manipulation and the speed at which information spreads on social media makes deepfakes one of the most dangerous tools in the modern era.
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Trust in the Media and Institutions
As deepfakes become more prevalent, Jeremy questions whether society can trust what it sees and hears in the media. “How can you believe anything when even video evidence can be faked?” he asks. This growing mistrust, fuelled by deepfakes, is eroding public confidence in both media outlets and institutions. Jeremy expresses concern that this could lead to a breakdown in society’s ability to discern fact from fiction, leaving us vulnerable to manipulation by bad actors.
He suggests that, without strong regulation or effective technological solutions to detect deepfakes, the line between reality and fiction will, therefore, continue to blur. “We’re heading into a very dangerous time,” Jeremy warns, adding that truth might no longer matter. Furthermore, he emphasizes the urgent need for greater awareness and immediate action to address this growing threat.
Topic time in podcast and video: 16:23 – 18:19
