Deepfakes and politics: Altering reality to secure political power

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 11, 2022

Insight summary

Deepfake technology, utilizing artificial intelligence to create convincing fake media, has emerged as a powerful tool with potential applications and misuses in politics. The technology's ability to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in institutions raises serious concerns. Efforts to combat deepfakes, such as laws and partnerships between tech giants and government agencies, reflect the urgency of addressing this issue.

Deepfake politics context

Deepfakes are AI-generated media that create authentic-looking images, audio files, or videos of a person or subject. This technology has been used to manipulate public opinion, particularly in the political arena. Based on facial recognition and machine learning techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs), deepfakes can generate convincing replicas of subjects by scanning thousands of images.

Since their debut in 2017, deepfakes have been used for various purposes, including creating pornographic videos and tricking politicians into making embarrassing statements. A deepfake of former American president Barack Obama in 2018 highlighted the potential adverse effects on politics. These incidents have raised concerns about the darker applications of deepfakes and their potential to undermine democratic processes.

The rapid advancement of deepfake technology has led to fears that it may become increasingly difficult to discern authentic content from fake. This scenario threatens not only individual perceptions of truth but also the integrity of political processes. Efforts to tackle deepfakes, such as the Deepfake Report Act in the US and research programs like Media Forensics (MediFor), reflect the growing recognition of the need to address this challenge.

Disruptive impact

Deepfake technology's rapid advancement has led to concerns that it may reach a point where experts cannot distinguish between real and fake content. This scenario could further erode public trust and threaten political processes. The potential negative effects include election manipulation, distrust in government and institutions, and damage to the reputations of officials.

In response, legislation like the Deepfake Report Act has been enacted, and programs like MediFor have been commissioned to detect and understand deepfake manipulation. Partnerships between companies like Google and government institutions, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), aim to develop digital forensic techniques. These efforts represent a concerted attempt to mitigate the future dangers of deepfakes in politics.

The broader societal implications of deepfakes extend beyond politics. The technology's potential to manipulate public opinion and behavior has ramifications for media consumption, education, and the relationship between citizens and their governments. The response to deepfakes offers insights into how society can adapt to emerging technologies, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and public interest.

Implications of deepfake politics

Wider implications of deepfake politics may include:

• Increased risk of foreign interference in elections, with potential geopolitical and economic consequences.


• Enhanced effectiveness of misinformation campaigns, targeting specific demographics to influence behavior and opinions.


• Greater investment in public education programs to improve media literacy and critical thinking skills.


• Development of new legal frameworks and regulations to govern the use and misuse of deepfake technology.


• Collaboration between tech companies, governments, and international organizations to develop detection and prevention tools.


• Potential impact on journalism and media integrity, requiring new standards and practices.


• Influence on diplomatic relations, as deepfakes could be used to manipulate international negotiations and agreements.


• Challenges in law enforcement and legal proceedings, as deepfakes may complicate evidence and testimony.


• Long-term effects on public trust in institutions, media, and leaders, shaping democratic values and civic engagement.

Questions to consider

• Have you ever seen deepfakes and were you able to identify them? 


• How do you think the government should educate the public about deepfakes?