AI brings lots of possibilities, but we humans are messy and are content to use a technology that can help us cure cancer, solve poverty, and environmental catastrophes to create porn, uncreative art, and deliver misinformation.

Deepfakes are AI rendered audio and video recordings of people doing or saying things that are false. Deepfakes have no redeeming and do nothing but create chaos and disorder.

The latest generation of deepfakes are supposedly secret “hot mic moments,” or audio recordings of political leaders or school superintendents making disparaging remarks about their constituents or saying something political stupid.

Making an Already Tense Situation Worse

The latest incident making international news involves a secret hot mic recording London’s muslim-born mayor, Sadiq Khan, making remarks about the One-Million Palestinian March taking place in London and how he controls the Met (London’s Metropolitan Police).

What’s important and paramount is the one-million-man Palestinian march takes place on Saturday…I control the Met Police, they will do as the Mayor of London tells them…the British public need to get a grip.

Deepfaked Sadiq Khan

Tensions began to boil during Armistice Day celebrations in London when pro-Palestinian marchers made an appearance. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the marches were disrespectful on Armistice Day followed by Home Secretary Suella Braverman calling for Armistice Day demonstrations to be cancelled.

Then came the deepfake.

The timing couldn’t have been better if you’re seeking to sow disharmony and cause problems.

The Real Mayor, Sadiq Khan

“I Made a Huge Mistake”

The BBC tracked down the man who first posted the clip and he was quoted, “It’s what we all know Sadiq thinks.” He doesn’t know what he thinks. And another user who helped the clip go viral acknowledged the mistake of passing around the fake recording and helping spread misinformation said, “I made a big mistake”. Obviously.

We’re at a critical moment where governments are grappling with the impact of AI from an economic standpoint, but a brighter light needs to be shined on the social impacts deepfakes can have on society. There’s enough hate in the world already. We’re in a time where haters can further sow discontent with easily downloadable tools.

It’s time libel and slander laws get updated to reflect new realities digital technologies can bring.