Viral deepfake video shows Virat Kohli criticizing Shubman Gill
What's the story
A fan-made deepfake video featuring Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has gone viral, sparking a widespread online debate. The video, which was shared on X, falsely attributes comments to Kohli about fellow cricketer Shubman Gill. This incident has raised concerns about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating deceptive content, and its ethical implications.
Misinformation
Deepfake video misrepresents Kohli's views on Gill
The deepfake video shows Kohli seemingly making negative remarks about Gill, stating, "I have been watching Gill closely. He's talented, no doubt. But there is a big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend." The clip also suggests that Kohli compared himself to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar by allegedly saying, "People talk about the next Virat Kohli but let me be clear, there's only one Virat Kohli."
User reactions
Viewers quickly identified video as artificial
The deepfake video quickly caught attention of cricket fans, leading to a surge of reactions. However, several users identified that the video was artificially generated and didn't represent Kohli's words. One user commented, "I will be half asleep and still know that this is not how Virat talks and this is not even his voice." Another user expressed surprise at the realism of the deepfake content, stating, "For a moment, I thought it was real. AI is dangerous for sure."
Twitter Post
Take a look at the video
AI is Dangerous
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 27, 2024pic.twitter.com/njUvwiwc4t
Ethical debate
Deepfake incident reignites ethical concerns over AI technology
The incident has reignited discussions about the ethical implications of AI technology, particularly in relation to public figures and the potential for spreading misinformation. One user expressed their concern by stating, "Elon was right AI is far more dangerous than nukes." Another user added, "I don't know why people do these things." The deepfake video featuring Kohli underscores the need for vigilance in discerning real from fake content online.