AI deepfakes pose risks to consumers and voters, experts warn
Summary
Experts warn that AI tools make it easier to create realistic fake images, videos and audio, which can be used in scams and political disinformation. They say many people struggle to identify audio deepfakes, while AI-generated political ads have increased sharply ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.Key Facts
- Doppel reported that only 8% of people in one test recognized that an AI agent was calling them; 92% thought they were speaking with a human.
- Experts say deepfakes can imitate the voices and likenesses of public figures, friends or relatives.
- PolitiFact reported that an AI-manipulated video in Texas falsely depicted a former student accusing Senate candidate James Talarico of sexual misconduct.
- The Wesleyan Media Project reported that campaigns had spent more than $137 million on at least 220 AI-generated ads by mid-October.
- The Wesleyan Media Project identified less than $50,000 in spending on AI-generated ads during the 2024 election cycle, according to its co-director.
- The project’s co-director said most of the AI-generated ads it tracked did not disclose that they used AI.
- Veriff reported a 300% increase in deepfake-related fraud attempts against businesses in 2026 compared with 2025.
- A Veriff expert advised people who receive suspicious requests to hang up and verify the caller through a known phone number or another channel.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
