June 30th 2024.
The recent deepfake videos featuring England manager Gareth Southgate have caused quite a stir, prompting the Football Association (FA) to release a statement addressing the issue. These videos, created using artificial intelligence technology, have gone viral on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with one fan arguing that they are actually boosting morale for supporters.
However, the FA is less than pleased with these videos, which they deem misleading and harmful. Some of the clips show a fake version of Southgate making inappropriate comments about England players, both on and off the field. The problem is that many fans are being deceived into thinking these videos are real, thanks to the advanced AI voice generator technology that makes it seem as though Southgate is actually speaking in a press conference.
In response to the controversy, the FA stated that they will take necessary steps to have these offensive videos removed from social media. On the other hand, England fans have come to the defense of the deepfake Southgate videos, arguing that they are harmless and even have a positive effect on team spirit.
One fan expressed, "It's just classic British humor. It helps lift our spirits and keep us motivated and happy, so I don't see any harm in it." Another fan pointed out that Southgate is not the only one in the football world to fall victim to deepfakes, as other managers like Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, and Mikel Arteta have also been targeted.
According to digital forensics expert Professor Hany Farid, the use of deepfake technology is a cause for concern. He warned that even those with a small digital presence can be at risk of having their identity manipulated. "I can take as little as 30 seconds of someone's voice or a single image and create a deepfake of them," he stated.
The bigger issue at hand, according to Professor Farid, is the potential harm these videos can cause. "It's one thing to have a satirical article poking fun at a politician or athlete, but it's a whole other level when it's a video of that person using their voice and likeness, which can be incredibly offensive," he explained. This raises the question of where to draw the line in terms of acceptable use of deepfake technology, which both the courts and society as a whole will have to grapple with in the future.
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