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New Delhi: Former India captain Virat Kohli is the latest celebrity to join the Deepfake victims list. The recent misuse of this AI-powered tool to mimic the voice of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli for an advertisement of a betting app has raised warnings about its growing threat. The incident underscores the urgent need for a united front by tech giants and global leaders against the malicious use of deepfakes, especially given the threat of election misinformation.
Kohli’s interview footage was morphed and synced with an AI-generated voice. The misleading video soon caught attention on social media and was flagged for its credibility. According to the details in the video, Kohli earned 81,000 rupees by investing just Rs 1000 within 3 days. Deepfake technology has emerged as a double-edged sword. Although it has the potential for innovation in entertainment and education, its misuse poses significant dangers. The technology’s ability to create hyper-realistic video and audio recordings has seen public figures become unwitting participants in fabricated scenarios.
क्या ये सच में @anjanaomkashyap मैम और विराट कोहली हैं? या फिर यह AI का कमाल है?
अगर यह AI कमाल है तो बेहद खतरनाक है। इतना मिसयूज? अगर रियल है तो कोई बात ही नहीं। किसी को जानकारी हो तो बताएँ।@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/Q5RnDE3UPr
— Shubham Shukla (@ShubhamShuklaMP) February 18, 2024
“2000% win is assured. With this app, you can earn more money by spending less,” Kohli’s AI-generated voice said in the video.
Technology was put to misuse to alter and fabricate Kohli promoting an online betting app. Such attempts can have a dangerous effect as Kohli’s stardom and influence has an impact on millions of his fans across the globe.
Similar Deepfake Video Case Of Sachin Tendulkar
Previously, a deepfake video of Sachin Tendulkar also surfaced on Facebook featuring a digitally altered clip and voice of the former Indian batter, falsely portraying him endorse a gaming app. The deepfake attempted to convey the false idea that Tendulkar and his daughter, Sara Tendulkar, had earned substantial sums of money by participating in a specific online game.
The misuse of deepfake technology extends beyond the political sphere to personal life. Virat Kohli’s false advertisement is a sobering reminder of the susceptibility of public figures to digital impersonation. This incident, coupled with Kohli’s withdrawal from the ongoing Test series due to personal reasons, rumored to be related to his family life, shows the multifaceted impact of deepfakes. This is not only about the potential for political misinformation, but also about the invasion of personal privacy and the emotional impact on individuals who find their likenesses hijacked.
