Deepfakes and Democracy

Every day, we see -- and create! -- countless images and videos that have been edited or digitally altered. From simple Snapchat filters to short, lighthearted, or ironic TikTok videos, it’s clear that seeing and creating altered media is just part of online life today. But are your students aware of -- or have they thought deeply about -- the phenomenon of deepfake videos? As you watch, have your students consider questions like: Why are faked images and videos so popular? How might AI or deepfake technology subvert or threaten a democratic election? And perhaps more universally, How does the existence of this new technology change the way we see the world?

Teachers: Visit the lesson plan that accompanies this video.