The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same

  • Written by Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast

As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos[1], videos[2] and audio[3] shared during the campaign.

A slew[4] of fake videos and images[5] shared by Trump and his supporters purported to show his opponent, Kamala Harris, saying or doing things that did not happen in real life.

Of particular concern are deepfake videos[6], which are edited or generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and depict events that didn’t happen. They may appear to depict real people, but the scenarios are entirely fictitious.

Microsoft warned[7] in late October that:

Russian actors continue to create AI-enhanced deepfake videos about Vice President Harris. In one video, Harris is depicted as allegedly making derogatory comments about former President Donald Trump. In another […] Harris is accused of illegal poaching in Zambia. Finally, another video spreads disinformation about Democratic vice president nominee Tim Walz, gaining more than 5 million views on X in the first 24 hours.

AI has enabled the mass creation of deepfake videos, which poses a threat to democratic processes[8] everywhere.

If left unchallenged, political deep fake videos could have profound impacts on Australian elections.

It’s getting harder to spot a deepfake

Images have stronger persuasive power than text. Unfortunately, Australians are not great at spotting fake videos and images[9].

The prevalence of deepfakes on social media is particularly concerning, given it is getting harder to identify which videos are real and which are not.

Studies suggest people can accurately identify deepfake facial images only 50% of the time[10] (akin to guessing) and deepfake faces in videos just 24.5% of the time[11].

AI-based methods for detection are marginally better than humans. However, these methods become less effective when videos are compressed (which is necessary for social media).

As Australia faces its own election, this technology could profoundly impact perceptions of leaders, policies, and electoral processes.

Without action, Australia could become vulnerable to the same AI-driven political disinformation seen in the US.

Deepfakes and disinformation in Australia

When she was home affairs minister, Clare O'Neil warned[12] technology is undermining the foundations of Australia’s democratic system.

Senator David Pocock demonstrated the risks by creating deepfake videos[13] of both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

The technology’s reach extends beyond federal politics. For example, scammers successfully impersonated[14] Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli in a fake video call.

We’ve already seen deepfakes already in Australian political videos, albeit in a humorous context. Think, for example, of the deepfake purporting to show Queensland premier Steven Miles[15], which was released by his political opponents.

While such videos may seem harmless and are clearly fabricated, experts have raised concerns about the potential misuse of deepfake technology in future[16].

As deepfake technology advances, there is growing concern about its ability to distort the truth and manipulate public opinion. Research shows political deepfakes create uncertainty and reduce trust in the news[17].

The risk is amplified by microtargeting[18] – where political actors tailor disinformation to people’s vulnerabilities and political views. This can end up amplifying extreme viewpoints and distort people’s political attitudes[19].

Not everyone can spot a fake

Deepfake content encourages us to make quick judgments[20], based on superficial cues.

Studies suggest some are less susceptible to deepfakes[21], but older Australians are especially at risk. Research[22] shows a 0.6% decrease in deepfake detection accuracy with each year of age.

Younger Australians who spend more time on social media may be better equipped to spot fake imagery or videos[23].

But social media algorithms, which reinforce users’ existing beliefs, can create “echo chambers[24]”.

Research shows people are more likely to share[25] (and less likely to check) political deepfake misinformation when it shows their political enemies in a poor light.

With AI tools struggling to keep pace with video-based disinformation, public awareness may be the most reliable defence.

Deepfakes are more than just a technical issue — they represent a fundamental threat to the principles of free and fair elections.

References

  1. ^ photos (www.theguardian.com)
  2. ^ videos (www.bloomberg.com)
  3. ^ audio (www.nbcnews.com)
  4. ^ slew (www.washingtonpost.com)
  5. ^ images (x.com)
  6. ^ deepfake videos (www.bloomberg.com)
  7. ^ warned (blogs.microsoft.com)
  8. ^ threat to democratic processes (www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au)
  9. ^ videos and images (apo.org.au)
  10. ^ only 50% of the time (arxiv.org)
  11. ^ just 24.5% of the time (arxiv.org)
  12. ^ warned (www.afr.com)
  13. ^ creating deepfake videos (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ scammers successfully impersonated (www.abc.net.au)
  15. ^ Queensland premier Steven Miles (www.theguardian.com)
  16. ^ in future (journals.sagepub.com)
  17. ^ reduce trust in the news (journals.sagepub.com)
  18. ^ microtargeting (www.tandfonline.com)
  19. ^ political attitudes (journals.sagepub.com)
  20. ^ quick judgments (agipubs.faculty.ucdavis.edu)
  21. ^ less susceptible to deepfakes (academic.oup.com)
  22. ^ Research (www.nature.com)
  23. ^ spot fake imagery or videos (www.sciencedirect.com)
  24. ^ echo chambers (www.pnas.org)
  25. ^ more likely to share (www.emerald.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/disinformation-and-deepfakes-played-a-part-in-the-us-election-australia-should-expect-the-same-243373

The Times Features

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Air is an overlooked source of nutrients – evidence shows we can inhale some vitamins

You know that feeling you get when you take a breath of fresh air in nature? There may be more to it than a simple lack of pollution. When we think of nutrients, we think of t...

FedEx Australia Announces Christmas Shipping Cut-Off Dates To Help Beat the Holiday Rush

With Christmas just around the corner, FedEx is advising Australian shoppers to get their presents sorted early to ensure they arrive on time for the big day. FedEx has reveale...

Will the Wage Price Index growth ease financial pressure for households?

The Wage Price Index’s quarterly increase of 0.8% has been met with mixed reactions. While Australian wages continue to increase, it was the smallest increase in two and a half...

Back-to-School Worries? 70% of Parents Fear Their Kids Aren’t Ready for Day On

Australian parents find themselves confronting a key decision: should they hold back their child on the age border for another year before starting school? Recent research from...

Times Magazine

Uniden Adds Three New Baby Monitors to Award-Winning BabyWatch Range

Uniden has introduced three new models to its award-winning BabyWatch baby monitor range, offering parents a variety of high-tech features at an affordable price point, to keep an eye on newborns and toddlers from anywhere around the home. The th...

Innovative babysitter app sets new industry benchmark in South East Queensland

Sourcing and securing an experienced babysitter, with both a Working with Children Check and First-Aid Certification at a fixed and affordable rate, has now become a reality for the first time, thanks to the launch of Mumaco.   Mumaco, the brai...

Micke Lindebergh will be put on display across Mirvac’s retail centres

Shoppers at Mirvac retail centres are in for an exciting experience this spring, as vibrant and larger than-life artworks by the renowned artist Micke Lindebergh will be put on display across Mirvac’s  retail centres.  The display of Lindebergh’...

Brisbane’s Moreton Bay Region

Golden moments await in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay region; from 2 for 1 seniors’ deals to morning Tai Chi by the water Embracing the golden years is a joyous journey, and in the picturesque Moreton Bay region, seniors are met with an array of exciti...

Calming Canines: How Citronella Collars Redefine Bark Control

Dogs bark, but excessive or prolonged barking can be disruptive and disturb the peace within a household or neighbourhood. Many dog owners are constantly searching for methods to manage their dogs’ barking without resorting to measures such as sh...

10 Essay Help Tips to Share with Friends

Are you someone struggling with writing essays? A well-written essay is sometimes a challenging task. But you are not alone in the journey of essay writing.  You can't always create an interesting essay as it calls for a flow of creativity. A lot ...