Have you ever watched a video or seen a picture online and wondered, “Is this real?” Well, you’re not alone! A recent survey shows that one in three Brits can’t tell if an image or video has been manipulated by AI. With technology advancing so quickly, AI-generated content—like deepfakes—has become very convincing and a lot of people are struggling to figure out what’s real and what’s not.
Deepfakes are AI-powered videos or images that can make someone appear to say or do things they never did. Scary, right? Even more worrying is that more than a third of us admit we probably couldn’t spot a fake, especially when it comes to videos, images or even audio clips. That means what you see or hear online might not be what it seems and spotting the difference is getting harder by the day!
And it’s not just about fun or harmless pranks. AI deepfakes are popping up in serious places, like political campaigns. In January, over 100 deepfake ads featuring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were promoted on Facebook. Think about that for a second—a politician saying things they never actually said, and people believing it. Nearly half of the UK public says they don’t trust political content they see on social media, especially around election time. And who could blame them? With AI manipulating what we see and hear, making informed decisions is becoming tougher.
On top of this, there’s a big worry about how easily AI can be used to spread misinformation. Over two-thirds of Brits are concerned about the lack of regulations around AI content. We’re now holding tech companies and governments responsible for helping us navigate this tricky digital landscape.
AI is a powerful tool, but it also has its risks. Next time you come across a video online, take a closer look—there might just be something a little too perfect about it. Stay sharp, folks!
Could you spot the fake? One-third of Britons can’t tell AI from reality | ESET
