Tech companies combat rising deepfake crimes and scams

Deepfakes, which are realistic fake videos and audio made using advanced technology, have become a significant problem. They can be used to trick people, especially by criminals who aim to steal money or personal information. For instance, a recent case in Hong Kong involved a company employee who was scammed out of HK$200 million (about US$26 million) after being fooled by a video call featuring AI-created avatars of his colleagues. Tech companies are racing to combat the surge of deepfakes. These highly convincing fakes can now be created with ease thanks to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). This technology has made it simple for scammers to impersonate voices or people, which is becoming an everyday issue. One woman recounted how her elderly mother received a call from a cloned voice claiming to be her son, trying to manipulate her into providing money for a fake emergency. Most people struggle to spot deepfakes. A study showed that only a very small number of Americans and Britons (just one in a thousand) could identify them correctly. The tools to create deepfakes have rapidly multiplied; a decade ago, it took many hours of recording to mimic someone's voice. Now, that can be done in just seconds. In response, companies like Intel have developed technology to detect whether audio or video is authentic. For instance, Intel's FakeCatcher can analyze subtle changes in facial blood flow to tell real images from fake ones. Experts agree that the ability to detect deepfakes is becoming crucial for many businesses. If companies can accurately identify deepfakes, they may have a competitive edge in the increasingly risky online environment. The threat posed by deepfakes is significant. They not only jeopardize individual safety but also the reputation of companies. As more people continue to work remotely, the opportunity for scammers to impersonate others increases. Some tech firms are already developing consumer products to combat this issue, like a smartphone that can detect deepfakes. Experts believe that over time, detection technology will improve. Just as spam filters help manage unwanted emails, similar tools for deepfakes may become standard in the future, but that day is not here yet.