What Are Targets, Objectives, And Tactics of AI Political Deepfakes?

In recent years, political deepfakes have become a serious issue in the spread of false information. Using AI to create hyper-realistic videos, these fake media assets can manipulate voters, discredit political figures, and undermine trust in democratic systems.

As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and convincing, its use in political contexts becomes more prevalent.

Understanding the role of AI in politics and the targets, objectives, and tactics behind these efforts is essential for combating their potential impact on future elections. Let’s look in detail below.

Key Targets of Political Deepfakes

The main targets of deepfake politics include high-profile political leaders, journalists, and activists. As AI technology advances, these deepfakes aim to distort individuals’ public image, especially during election campaigns.

For example, opposition candidates and heads of state often find themselves at the center of false deepfake videos or AI-generated fake audio, which could mislead voters or discredit their reputations.

Women in politics are particularly vulnerable to non-consensual deepfake videos aimed at damaging their credibility and deterring political engagement.

This demonstrates how deepfakes can sway public perception or seed doubt in legitimate media, even if not entirely convincing.

In a recent case, a deepfake audio of Joe Biden was circulated to mislead New Hampshire voters about primary election voting, creating confusion about legitimate voting processes.

Additionally, political figures in countries like Turkey and Slovakia have been targeted by disinformation in election 2024 tactics that link them to criminal organizations or fabricate controversial statements.

Objectives of Political Deepfakes

Political deepfakes often manipulate elections, tarnish reputations, and create confusion in the political landscape. Their primary objectives include:

Election Manipulation:

By altering public perceptions of political candidates or spreading disinformation about voting processes, deepfakes aim to influence election outcomes.

A notable example occurred in Turkey, where a deepfake video was used to falsely accuse an opposition leader of collaborating with terrorist groups, damaging his campaign just before the election.

Similarly, a recent robocall impersonating President Biden in New Hampshire falsely advised voters not to participate in the primary, reflecting a growing concern that generative AI will make it easier and cheaper to spread misinformation. The Federal Communications Commission has made AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal to counter this.

Character Assassination:

Deepfakes have also been employed to tarnish the reputation of political figures by falsely portraying them in compromising or illegal situations.

In the case of Slovakian elections, a deepfake was circulated to suggest a candidate was rigging the election, thus discrediting his legitimacy.

Discrediting Political Movements:

By using deep fakes AI to create false statements or actions attributed to political figures, opposition parties, or activists, bad actors aim to create public distrust.

This leads to confusion and undermines the credibility of genuine political movements or candidates.

Emerging Tactics in Political Deepfakes

According to recent research by Masood et al. (2022), the tactics used in deploying deepfake politics have evolved significantly, utilizing advanced techniques like facial landmark mapping, neural networks, and color matching to create highly convincing fake media.

Some emerging tactics include:

Audio Deepfakes:

These have become a preferred method for spreading false statements, such as the fake audio clip used in the U.S. 2024 elections, where Biden’s voice was manipulated to mislead voters into skipping the primaries.

Spoofing Media Assets:

Deepfake creators increasingly use legitimate media branding to lend credibility to fake content, such as logos from major news outlets like the BBC, to distribute false reports or fabricated speeches.

Whistleblower Fakes:

A novel tactic involves creating fake whistleblowers who expose scandals or unethical behavior of political candidates or officials. These AI-generated whistleblowers have been used to manipulate public opinion by fabricating insider information.

Will Deep-Fake Technology Destroy Democracy?

Deep-fake technology has the potential to destabilize democratic systems by creating false narratives that are difficult to distinguish from reality. Imagine the impact of a doctored video of a politician appearing right before an election, damaging their reputation beyond repair.

As political strategist Steve Bannon once stated, it can be used to “flood the zone with shit,” overwhelming the public with disinformation and eroding trust in institutions.

A notable example of this technology’s threat can be seen in Barack Obama’s deepfake, where AI-generated speech made him appear to say things he never did.

Watch the video here to see how convincingly AI can manipulate video and voice.

These AI-generated deepfakes have proven to mislead and manipulate voters, particularly in volatile election climates. Without strong countermeasures, we risk a future where truth is indistinguishable from deception, severely undermining democratic integrity.

As the use of AI in political campaigns continues to grow, the need for safeguards against such manipulative tactics becomes even more urgent.

The Growing Threat of Deepfake Politics on Global Elections

As deepfake election interference grows, the consequences are dire. In recent Slovakian elections, an AI-generated audio leak falsely implicating a candidate in electoral fraud caused widespread confusion.

Similarly, Turkey’s presidential race was heavily impacted when a deepfake of opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu linked him to terrorist organizations.

The impact of political deepfakes is wider than just specific elections. Globally, deepfakes have been used to undermine trust in democratic processes, leaving long-lasting effects on public perception.

Deepfakes have also been increasingly used in manipulative activities beyond election interference, as reported in Insikt Group® report. These include:

• Financial scams: 26.8% of deepfakes are involved in fraudulent schemes, impersonating public figures.
• False statements: 25.6% fabricate misleading statements attributed to political figures.
• Electioneering: 15.8% aim to manipulate voters during elections.
• Character assassination: 10.9% are used to damage reputations by portraying individuals in compromising situations.
• Non-consensual pornography: 10.9% target women in politics, undermining their credibility and political involvement.
  

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Combatting Political Deepfakes

Journalists have a crucial role in responsible reporting on AI, especially with the rise of political deepfakes.

Recent incidents, like Biden’s AI-generated robocall and Taylor Swift deepfakes, showcase how misleading media can be debunked by collaboration between journalists, governments, and tech professionals.

The fight against AI political deepfakes requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Advanced AI Detection Tools: Governments and tech companies must collaborate to develop detection systems that quickly identify fake content before it goes viral. AI-powered tools are essential to counter the sophisticated manipulation of media.
• Collaboration with Fact-Checkers: Social media platforms must work closely with fact-checkers to identify and address disinformation rapidly, limiting its spread and impact.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Encouraging political figures to increase their visibility and release authentic media can help debunk false claims and give the public a clear understanding of their true likeness.
• Legislative Efforts: Additionally, legislative efforts such as H.R. 5586 – 118th Congress (2023-2024) aim to provide legal recourse to victims of harmful deepfakes and protect national security from the threats posed by this technology.

As the 2024 U.S. elections approach, the role of political deepfakes in disinformation strategies will likely intensify. Tools like Deepswap make it increasingly easy to create political deepfakes, posing a significant threat to democratic integrity.

In the words of industry leaders, there’s still much ground to cover. Without robust safeguards, these manipulative tactics risk undermining public trust and the electoral process.

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Conclusion

As deepfakes evolve, their impact on political processes cannot be underestimated. The combination of AI’s increasing accessibility and the growing sophistication of deepfake technology poses significant risks to electoral integrity and public trust.

By understanding the targets, objectives, and tactics behind political deepfakes, societies can better prepare to combat this emerging threat and protect the foundations of democratic processes.