AI-Generated Deepfake Video Targets Greta Thunberg in Viral Misinformation Campaign

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A deepfake video using AI technology falsely depicts activist Greta Thunberg dancing nude. The manipulated video, created from pornographic footage, has been widely circulated via WhatsApp in Brazil, causing reputational harm and spreading misinformation. The incident highlights the misuse of AI for generating harmful, deceptive content.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event involves an AI system explicitly used to create a deepfake video, which is a known AI application involving image and video synthesis. The harm is realized as the video spreads misinformation and violates the rights and dignity of the individual depicted (Greta Thunberg). This constitutes a violation of personal rights and harm to community trust, fitting the definition of an AI Incident. The AI system's use directly leads to this harm through the creation and dissemination of the deepfake content.[AI generated]
AI principles
AccountabilityRespect of human rightsSafetyTransparency & explainabilityDemocracy & human autonomy

Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketing

Affected stakeholders
OtherGeneral public

Harm types
Reputational

Severity
AI incident

AI system task:
Content generation


Articles about this incident or hazard

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El vídeo de Greta Thunberg bailando desnuda es un 'deepfake'

2021-11-28
Mundo Deportivo
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system explicitly used to create a deepfake video, which is a known AI application involving image and video synthesis. The harm is realized as the video spreads misinformation and violates the rights and dignity of the individual depicted (Greta Thunberg). This constitutes a violation of personal rights and harm to community trust, fitting the definition of an AI Incident. The AI system's use directly leads to this harm through the creation and dissemination of the deepfake content.
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El vídeo de Greta Thunberg bailando desnuda que circula por WhatsApp es un 'deepfake'

2021-11-27
20 minutos
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system explicitly used to create a deepfake video, which is a form of AI-generated manipulated content. The deepfake has been disseminated widely, causing harm by misrepresenting Greta Thunberg and potentially violating her rights and misleading the public. This constitutes a violation of human rights and harm to communities, fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident. The harm is realized, not just potential, as the video is actively circulating and misleading people.
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Intentan desacreditar a Greta Thunberg con un vídeo falso: colocan su cara en el cuerpo de una mujer desnuda

2021-11-26
LaSexta
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system explicitly used to create a deepfake video, which is a known AI application involving generative algorithms. The harm is realized as the video is widely circulated, causing reputational damage and misinformation, which falls under harm to communities and violation of rights. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to harm through the creation and dissemination of the deepfake video.
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Fake news: difunden falso video de Greta Thunberg bailando desnuda

2021-11-26
EL HERALDO
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system in the form of deepfake technology, which uses AI to generate highly realistic manipulated video content. The use of this AI-generated deepfake has directly led to harm in the form of misinformation and reputational damage to Greta Thunberg, which constitutes harm to communities and a violation of rights (e.g., right to privacy and protection from defamation). Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly caused harm through the dissemination of false and harmful content.
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No es Greta Thunberg bailando desnuda, es un "deepfake"

2021-11-26
elsiglocomve
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system explicitly used to create a deepfake video, which is a sophisticated AI-generated manipulation of images and video. The deepfake has been widely disseminated, causing misinformation and reputational harm, which constitutes harm to communities and a violation of rights. The AI system's development and use directly led to this harm. Hence, it meets the criteria for an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information.