For those who never loved history, the Stone Age generally refers to the period before civilization. There were no mobile phones, nor was there the internet. My agemates may have experienced some version of it because mobile phones are a recent development, let alone social media and smartphones.
Deepfake is the manipulation of still images, videos, and audio using AI to generate content that appears real yet does not exist. Its origins could be traced back to the early 1990s when researchers began using CGI (computer-generated imagery) to create realistic images of humans.
In 2023-2024, deepfake incidents increased by 245%. If this trend continues uninterrupted, by 2034, human beings may no longer be able to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Right now, those conversant with AI can easily identify AI-generated content, but unfortunately, the vast majority may not.
By then, one may not even be able to tell whether they are turning right or left because they will be so dependent on generative AI to confirm whether right is truly right or left is actually left.
I was not surprised when the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, shared a deepfake video purportedly from CNN. In his apology, today 21st February 2025, he regreted “inadvertently posting an AI-generated video disguised as a genuine commentary from Fareed Zakaria of CNN on the search for peace in the Sudan conflict and Kenya’s role in it.” This incident illustrates just how threatening this technological advancement is becoming. Right now, even those who flagged the video may not be able to do so in the near future.
I am imagining its effect beyond the current use in propaganda, especially during electioneering periods, to fragile sectors such as humanitarian aid. Are we staring at the possibility of organizations creating deepfake communities, producing deepfake human-interest stories, and swindling the entire world at the expense of genuine people in need?
When that time comes, there will be no difference between the Stone Age and the deepfake era because the inability to distinguish truth from falsehood will mirror the lack of information that characterized the Stone Age.
For now, stay informed so that you do not find yourself in the PS’s shoes, propagating deepfake content just because it excites you. At an individual level, a basic guideline is to verify any content you encounter with credible sources such as mainstream media or trusted news outlets. For organizations, basic training on cybersecurity can save you from a lot of trouble. For experts, employing multi-factor authentication, verification protocols, and developing a system of incident response plans will help in verifying, reporting, and managing suspected deepfake incidents.