Explore the rise of political deepfakes and how blockchain technology may offer a solution to verify authenticity in this edition of Tepperspectives, the thought leadership site of the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
One technological tool that may be useful in identifying or preventing misinformation is blockchain— a database technology originated in 2008 that records and stores information in blocks of data that are linked, or “chained,” together. The software is free and open source, which makes it available to the public.
Generative AI technologies, like those used to clone David Attenborough's voice, raise ethical concerns about identity representation, consent, and the growing threat of deepfakes. As AI enables easier and more convincing fabrications, it challenges societal norms and highlights the need for stronger ethical and regulatory frameworks to protect individuals from misuse and misrepresentation.
Why does it seem that voters reward political candidates for their outlandish statements and misinformation? The answer, paradoxically, may lie in the public’s desire for more authenticity in political candidates.