Watching myself say things I would never say. Deepfake menace we must confront (www.theguardian.com)

A recent experience shared by economist Yanis Varoufakis highlighted the emerging threat of deepfake technology as he discovered a series of videos featuring a deepfake version of himself, disseminating fabricated speeches on various topics. His predicament underscores the growing concern within the AI/ML community regarding the implications of deepfakes, especially their potential to distort identity and truth in the digital realm. Varoufakis expresses frustration with platforms like Google and Meta for their inability to effectively manage and remove such content, lamenting the erosion of personal representation and integrity in a society increasingly dominated by technofeudal structures. This incident raises significant questions about the nature of authenticity and the distribution of power online. Varoufakis reflects on the philosophical concept of isegoria, which suggests that the worth of ideas should be evaluated on their merits rather than the identity of the speaker. He posits that deepfakes might challenge users to critically assess content beyond its source, potentially offering a new avenue for democratic discourse despite the overwhelming influence of tech giants. However, he cautions that any hope for a more equitable conversation remains contingent on addressing the systemic inequalities fueled by those who control digital platforms, thus emphasizing the necessity for a collective redefinition of ownership, identity, and truth in the digital age.