What is a Deepfake?

The word deepfake combines the terms "deep learning" and "fake," and is a form of artificial intelligence. In simplistic terms, deepfakes are falsified videos made by means of deep learning, said Paul Barrett, adjunct professor of law at New York University. Deep learning is "a subset of AI," and refers to arrangements of algorithms that can learn and make intelligent decisions on their own. More specifically deepfake refers to manipulated videos, or other digital representations produced by sophisticated artificial intelligence, that produce fabricated images and sounds that appear to be real. But the danger of that is "the technology can be used to make people believe something is real when it is not," said Peter Singer, cybersecurity and defense-focused strategist and senior fellow at New America think tank.