Tag: fakes

Tom Hanks isn’t trying to sell you a dental plan. YouTuber MrBeast won’t give you an iPhone 15. CBS News host Gayle King isn’t recommending a weight-loss product.

I knew this stage of AI tomfoolery was coming, but it’s still surprising how fast it’s happening. Let’s take a closer look at how free and cheap tools fuel fraud — and the signs to watch for.

Beyonce, Beytwice

Over the past several months, many fake AI celebrities have sprung up to trick people with phony endorsements. They look and talk like trusted personalities, usually shilling brands you’ve never heard of. Worse, they’re almost impossible to stop.

Certain AI — including Stable Diffusion apps and some Nvidia tech — can easily mimic “big names” in the celebrity world. Unscrupulous brands, or outright scammers, have no problem taking advantage of this readily available new tech.

Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Tom Brady, Beyonce — the list keeps going, and it’s not just about how celebrities look. AI also excels at mimicking famous voices, which is how fans mistook songs by AI mixer Ghostwriter as new releases from Drake and The Weeknd. Feeling paranoid?

Keep your guard up

Here’s what social media sites and even Google don’t want you to know: They do a lousy job vetting advertisers. They’re focused on the cash, meaning scammers end up with the real results.

If you want advice about a product or service, look at reviews or find an expert who’s well-versed and can prove it. Another smart step: Google the product and actor in the ad, along with the word “review.” If someone’s getting paid to endorse a product, there’s not just one random ad floating around social media.

Tells that it’s AI-made

It’s not just ads. AI is everywhere, and the tools are simple to access and widely accessible. Take a look at what Michael Jackson would look like today, Elon Musk as a toddler or if selfies existed in history’s biggest moments.

I used one of those viral AI headshot apps. My favorite shot is the one with my fingers going into my cheeks. Now is the time to brush up on the red flags. A graphic, photograph, piece of art or image was made using AI.

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