Benefits of DeepFakes: Research Prep

Brainstorming keywords:

I first starting searching for my topic using keywords like “benefits of deepfakes” and “pros and cons of deepfakes.” I quickly found there were other keywords used in articles that were the result of my searches. For example, Deepfake technology is commonly referred to as “synthetic media” and “visual artificial intelligence.” The articles also commonly reference pros or benefits as “positives” and “using for good.” 

 

Sources:

Google	Google Scholar	NY Times
These results focused on very high level pros/cons to Deepfake technology	These results gave a deeper dive into pros/cons of the technology by providing current and future example uses.	This article was written with the perspective of the average person in mind, and had a hint of negativity and fearfulness of the technology as a result.

 

• The Pros and Cons of Deepfake Technology, Google News gets a redesign, TikTok’s Platform Strategy revealed, and Instagram’s main feed to be revamped. (https://www.intelligencygroup.com/blog/digital-roundup-24-6-22/#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20Deepfake%20technology,hyper%2Dpersonalised%20experience%20for%20customers.)

  • Discusses how DeepFakes can be used both positively and negatively. The pros of this technology include art, audio recreation, and recreation of actors. Because my topic only focuses on the benefits, I did not pay attention to the negatives of the technology

1. Deepfakes recreated Dali, a famous painter, to give a message about his life
2. DeepFake technology synthesized JFK’s voice to read a speech he never got to make
3. Princess Leia was DeepFaked in Star Wars: Rogue One after the passing of Carrie Fisher

 

• Positive Use Cases of Synthetic Media (aka Deepfakes) (https://towardsdatascience.com/positive-use-cases-of-deepfakes-49f510056387)
  • This article discusses positive examples of DeepFake technology and its future benefit to society

1. Accessibility – the technology can be used to build tools enabling people to see and hear with increasing accuracy. Synthetic voices can narrate the objects, people, and the world to people without senses. Synthetic voices can also be used to create unique voice personas
2. Education – Deepfakes can be used in the classroom. AI-generated media can recreate historical figures to deliver messages, reenact important scenes from history, and more to students.
3. Art – While CGI and other visual effects are currently used in movies to create compelling artificial worlds for viewers, Deepfake technology can provide the same captivation at a fraction of the cost. Outside of Hollywood, art can be animated by Deepfakes to increase the appeal of museums
4. Autonomy & Expression – this technology can be used to deliver the messages of human rights activists and journalists without jeopardizing their identity.

 

• The Emergence of Deepfake Technology: A Review (https://timreview.ca/article/1282)
  • This article discusses the positive and negative impacts the technology has on our society. This is a research paper with academic credibility. I mainly focus on the “Benefits of Deepfake Technology” section.

1. Film Industry – creation of digital voices for actors, updating film footage instead of reshooting it, create movies starting long dead actors, improve amateur video quality, realistic voice dubbing for movies in any language, etc.
2. Multiplayer Games – creation of digital doubles of people, bringing people and loved ones “back to life” in videogame contexts, etc.
3. Business – the technology can improve advertising by creating synthetic supermodels at a fraction of the price of hiring one, enabling consumers to virtually “try on” fashion products, etc.

 

• Lesson of the Day: ‘Your Loved Ones, and Eerie Tom Cruise Videos, Reanimate Unease With Deepfakes’ (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/learning/lesson-of-the-day-your-loved-ones-and-eerie-tom-cruise-videos-reanimate-unease-with-deepfakes.html)
  • This NY Times article focuses on the uncertainty of Deepfake technology. They describe the technology, listing how it is created and how it is currently used. The author then launches into potential future uses, both good and bad.