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AI Experts Unite: Urgent Call for Deepfake Regulation

By  |  February 21, 2024

In a joint effort to address the growing concerns surrounding deepfake technology, a coalition of prominent artificial intelligence experts and industry leaders have united in calling for stricter regulations. The initiative, spearheaded by renowned AI researcher Yoshua Bengio and organized by Andrew Critch of UC Berkeley, aims to mitigate the potential risks posed by the proliferation of deepfakes.

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    Deepfakes, synthetic media created through advanced AI algorithms, have become increasingly indistinguishable from genuine content, raising alarms about their potential misuse. From fraudulent activities to political disinformation and the dissemination of explicit imagery, the group emphasized the urgent need for safeguards in light of AI’s rapid progression.

    The open letter titled “Disrupting the Deepfake Supply Chain” outlines key recommendations for regulation. Among these recommendations are proposals for the full criminalization of deepfake child pornography, stringent penalties for individuals involved in creating or facilitating harmful deepfakes, and mandates for AI companies to implement measures preventing the production of harmful synthetic content.

    Related: New Report Says AI Regulations Lag Behind Industry Advances

    According to reports by Reuters, the letter has garnered support from over 400 signatories spanning diverse sectors such as academia, entertainment, and politics. Notable figures backing the initiative include Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker, Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, as well as former Estonian presidents and researchers from prestigious institutions like Google DeepMind and OpenAI.

    The call for regulation underscores broader efforts to ensure that AI technologies are developed and utilized responsibly. Concerns over the societal impact of AI were heightened following the introduction of ChatGPT by Microsoft-backed OpenAI in late 2022. ChatGPT, acclaimed for its human-like conversational abilities, exemplified the potential of AI while also prompting discussions about the need for ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks.

    Source: Reuters