Deepfakes can replace or generate faces, speech and movements so that a recording appears to depict a person doing something they did not do. They can be used in entertainment and authorized production as well as impersonation and deception.
Appearance alone may not establish authenticity. Verification can combine provenance, original sources and independent evidence, while automated detectors have limits and can miss new generation methods.
ELI5
A deepfake makes a picture, video or recording appear to show a real person saying or doing something that was created or changed by a computer. A convincing recording is not always a reliable record of an event.
For example, a fabricated clip might make a public figure appear to announce a decision they never made. Checking the original announcement and trustworthy independent coverage helps assess whether it actually happened.
Is every AI-generated picture a deepfake?
No. The term usually concerns convincing imitation or manipulation of a person's identity or behavior.
Can a detector prove a recording is authentic?
No. Detector results are uncertain evidence and should be considered alongside provenance and independent verification.
