The Dark Side of Deepfakes: How AI-Generated Videos Are Spreading Health Misinformation

In a shocking revelation, an investigation has uncovered hundreds of deepfake videos of doctors on social media, spreading health misinformation and promoting unproven supplements.

TL;DR
• Deepfake health videos are spreading health misinformation on social media.
• These videos impersonate medical professionals to sell unproven supplements.
• Social media platforms must take action to detect and remove deepfake content.

Summary
AI-generated deepfake videos of medical professionals are being used to spread health misinformation and sell supplements on social media platforms like TikTok. These videos, which impersonate real doctors, are created by manipulating real footage with AI technology. Key insights include:
• Hundreds of deepfake videos featuring impersonated doctors have been found on TikTok and other platforms, promoting Wellness Nest, a US-based supplements firm.
• The deepfakes use real footage of health experts, but with altered audio and video to make them appear to endorse unproven health products.
• Experts, including Prof David Taylor-Robinson and Duncan Selbie, have had their images manipulated and used in misleading videos.

The creators of these deepfakes deploy AI to make it seem like respected health experts are endorsing supplements to treat various ailments. This has raised concerns about the spread of health misinformation and the need for social media platforms to be more vigilant in removing such content. Prof David Taylor-Robinson discovered that his likeness was being used in deepfake videos only when a colleague alerted him. He reported that TikTok took down the videos six weeks after he complained, but not before they had been viewed by many users.

The issue of AI-generated deepfakes has sparked calls for greater regulation and accountability in the use of AI technology. There are concerns that such misinformation can have serious consequences for public health. The Liberal Democrats have called for AI deepfakes posing as medical professionals to be stamped out and for clinically approved tools to be promoted instead.

As we navigate the complex world of social media, it's essential to stay vigilant and fact-check before making any health decisions. Let's work together to promote accurate health information and protect ourselves from the dark side of deepfakes.