New disinformation weapon called DEEPFAKE

By Illya Berezenko

LNU Translation Center

Modern means of propaganda, intimidation and distortion of information has become a real threat to the whole world, and Ukraine especially, in the present circumstances. The most serious weapon in hands of those willing to distort the information and sell the lies is Deepfake technology. With the help of a neural network (modern capabilities of artificial intelligence learning) it can realistically apply one person’s face onto another person and make any kind of statement on their behalf.

Deepfake works by processing huge volumes of data. Namely – videos with potential identity theft victims. After processing the data array the AI is able to realistically apply one person’s face onto another person. The software successfully synchronyzes the posture, mimics and gestures of the person, even slight head movements.

But the technology is still far from perfect. At this point, MIT experts advise to pay attention to small details that can identify video as a product of AI interference.

1) First of all, take a closer look at the face. It’s the first concern for the most advanced deepfakes.

2) Pay attention to cheeks and forehead. Do they look too smooth or too wrinkly? Is their texture the same as the texture of the neck? Are the signs of aging appropriate for the actual age of the person they are trying to imitate?

3) Pay attention to eyes and eyebrows. Do shadows come and go as they should and where they should be? Deepfake is not able to successfully show physical properties of light.

4) Pay attention to the glasses. Is there a play of light on them? Is there too much light? Is there reflection in them?

5) Pay attention to the beard and moustache. Deepfake can imitate them, but it can’t render its natural look and changes depending on view angle.

6) Pay attention to the face’s imperfections. Do wrinkles look natural? Do scars look natural?

7) Pay attention to the size and shape of lips. Are they proportionate to the face? Do they seem too contrasting or lacking colour?

To show that your video is not a deepfake software specialists recommend the following:

1) Turn your head and touch your face more often. You can also run your hand across your face.

2) Grow a beard or stubble. To complicate the imitation moustache works too.

3) Complicate the simulation of light: glimmering beacon or Christmas lights that visibly shines on the face will point to the fact that the video is real.
These tips will not help in preventing deepfake from being created, but they will guarantee that this particular video is not a deepfake.

The video shows footage from Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”. Characters’ faces are replaced with faces of Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and Joseph Biden. There are apparent artefacts with light, colour and texture of skin.

The video shows Rami Malek’s face being replaced with the face of Freddie Mercury and also the process of artificial intelligence learning. There are apparent artefacts with moustache. It looks flat and drawn.

The video shows Vladimir Putin asking to support Ukraine in their fight against him. There are apparent artefacts in the mouth and neck area.

Reference: https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/detect-fakes/overview/