The UK authorities determined to wage conflict on express 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 shouldn’t be making an attempt to outright ban deepfakes, which might be unattainable, to be sincere. They’re focusing on the misuse of this tech for nefarious functions.
However here is the million-dollar query: Does it actually matter if an express 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 may say “synthetic intelligence.”
The actual 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 express content material, you are still within the unsuitable.
Legal guidelines in opposition to deepfakes are an excellent begin, but it surely’s not sufficient, we additionally want a cultural shift. We have to foster an setting the place respect for others’ privateness and consent is as ingrained because the British love for queuing or complaining concerning the climate.
Do not get me unsuitable, I am all for the federal government taking motion. However, this seems 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 handle this? Schooling, for starters. We have to educate digital ethics from an early age. Make it as elementary 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 express 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 express deepfakes, let’s not lose sight of the larger image. It isn’t concerning the expertise; it is concerning the people behind it. We have to deal with altering behaviours, fostering respect, and making a digital world the place consent and privateness are sacred.