Google engineer can create fake videos, but there's a twist
What's the story
Google engineer Supasorn Suwajanakorn has developed a tool that could create a realistic 'fake' video by mimicking the way a person talks. For this, the AI software in the video manipulation tool was trained with existing footage of people's mouth and teeth to create the perfect lip-sync. Thankfully, he has decided to use the technology for the larger good. Let's find out how.
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Positive uses of Suwajanakorn's video manipulation tool
Suwajanakorn's video manipulation tool was developed with good intentions. The technology could be used to create fake videos of people who have passed away: virtual versions of grandparents giving life advice, actors returning to the screen, teachers giving lessons, and authors reading out their works. Under the "New Dimensions in Testimony" project, the technology was used to have conversations with Holocaust survivors.
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The tool should not be procured by anti-social elements
As is with every technology, the video manipulation tool also has negative implications, and major ones at that. Think about it: It is a software that creates perfectly crafted fake videos. Noting the potential for misuse, Suwajanakorn said, "These results seemed intriguing, but also troubling."
Solution
Solving an AI-based problem with an AI-based counter-measure
The potential misuses of the tool included creating a fake video of a world leader announcing a nuclear strike and hence, triggering war. "Video manipulation will be used in malicious ways unless counter-measures are in place," Suwajanakorn said. And that's how he came up with the idea of creating an app that can spot fake videos on the internet.
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Enter Reality Defender
Suwajanakorn is now developing an app called "Reality Defender" that can spot fake videos and pictures on the internet. The app automatically scans web browsers for manipulated media content and allows users to report it. According to Suwajanakorn, videos are tough to perfectly fake as they involve fabricating streams of thousands of images.