After the recent Meloni-Musk deepfake incident, it’s hard not to wonder – what if a world leader announces something as drastic as a Third World War, and we’re tricked into believing it through fake footage? Chilling thought, right?
Deepfakes can now do anything to bring sensation and spice to a scandal. Why? Scandal sells! And what does it matter if the world has to be destroyed for that?
What happened with Giorgia Meloni and Elon Musk?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the first woman to hold the position, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, were having a diplomatic moment while attending a meeting in Paris. Both of them share a very professional relationship as globally recognized figures. Yet, the internet has turned it into something sensational and far removed from reality.
A deepfake video shows Meloni and Musk kissing at the event. This fake intimate video went viral and got countless shares and likes in little time. Many even saw the humor in it. But is it just a harmless internet joke?
Deepfakes and their last viral moment:
This isn’t the first time that deepfake videos have crossed ethical boundaries. What if we told you that the former U.S. President Barack Obama, too, was a victim of deepfake technology? He had to witness a synthetic version of himself spreading false information back in 2017. But that is what the Internet does to the world’s respected figures who are on the global stage. They’re simply forced to take some extra measures and safeguard their image.
How are deepfakes weaponized according to gender, and what will the impact be?
Women in power are most likely to be targeted for such scenarios. Specifically, why women? Objectifying female personalities isn’t a big deal! Giorgia Meloni isn’t just any leader, she holds the distinction of being the first female Prime Minister of Italy.
Is this new? No!
Female politicians have historically faced scrutiny, not just for their policies but for their personal affairs, appearance and lifestyle.
If the line between reality and fiction continues to blur, society risks descending into chaos where truth becomes subjective, and trust in democracy disappears. If famous people can be trapped in such cases, imagine the situation for a commoner facing legal trouble where justice depends on visual proof.
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