Standing Against Digital Deceptions: German and Hollywood Stars Rally Against Deepfakes
- German Prominents Back Petition Campaign
Here's a laugh, folks! Author and comic book whiz, Marc-Uwe Kling (43), creator of those hysterical "Känguru" books, has turned serious on Instagram, urging his fans to take action. He's stirring support for a petition titled "Shun Deepfakes - Protect Real People!", urging heavy hitters like Friedrich Merz, Markus Söder, and Lars Klingbeil to "Guard Democracy Against Deepfakes and Deceitful Bots!"
Why's he sounding the alarm? Because AI-generated fabrications are on the rise, making it a tough gig distinguishing reality from illusion. And folks who share Kling's anxiety are invited to sign his online petition. Some big names have already hopped on board, like Michael Bully Herbig, Karoline Herfurth, Annette Frier, Benno Fürmann, Oliver Kalkofe, Bjarne Mädel, Eckart von Hirschhausen, Ruth Moschner, and Bastian Pastewka, to name a few.
As of Thursday evening (16:00 CET), the petition, launched on Wednesday, is closing in on its goal of 15,000 signatures. What Kling and his allies are pushing for? "The new administration must take action. A mere labeling requirement for AI content, as the current EU proposal suggests, isn't enough."
A Worldwide Crisis
Hollywood stars are also feeling the heat, fearing their likeness could land in deepfake jeopardy. Take Scarlett Johansson, for instance - she recently spoke out to "People", saying, "We must speak out against AI abuse." Marie Avenger has herself been victim to AI fabrications, where her digital doppelganger used her voice without consent. She warns, "I've unfortunately found myself a public victim of AI, but the threat of AI impacts each and every one of us."
The Bigger Picture
While specifics about German celebrities and Hollywood stars are scant, these faces are prime targets for deepfakes. Globally, there are numerous attempts to combat the misuse of AI in deepfakes and forgeries.
Legislation
- In the U.S., state-level legislation is stepping up to regulate AI-generated deepfakes, with 20 states already addressing deceptive AI use, and more on the horizon. Meanwhile, the TAKE IT DOWN Act focuses on non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes[1][2][4].
- European efforts are evolving, with awareness campaigns like the "Monkey see, monkey do: Don't believe everything on the net!" initiative by the Luxembourg Safer Internet Centre[3].
Regulatory Frameworks
The regulatory landscape is a hot mess, with different states and countries implementing their own laws. This fragmented approach makes enforcing consistent regulations a global challenge[2].
Technological Solutions
Companies and researchers are hard at work on advanced detection tools to identify deepfakes. However, as deepfakes improve in quality, these detection methods might not be enough[5].
Recommendations
- Focus on Context: Train yourself to focus on the context of the message rather than trying to spot the deepfake. This helps in recognizing social engineering tactics without relying on technical details[5].
- Comprehensive Regulation: Push for comprehensive regulation that addresses not just specific AI-generated content but the broader risks associated with AI technologies[2].
- Raise Awareness: Public awareness campaigns help educate people about the potential deceptiveness of AI-generated media, building a more vigilant community against misinformation and fraud[3][5].
- I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can answer that specifically about German celebrities, but Hollywood stars such as Scarlett Johansson are expressing concern over their likeness being used in deepfake scenarios.
- Klingbeil, a German politician, is among the heavy hitters that Marc-Uwe Kling, the creator of "Känguru" books, is urging to address the issue of deepfakes and deceitful bots in democracy.
- Unfortunately, Scarlett Johansson, like many others, has already been a victim of AI fabrications, emphasizing the importance of awareness and comprehensive regulations against deepfakes.
