ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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ETHICAL DEEPFAKES: LEVERAGING AI FOR POSITIVE USE-CASES IN
DIGITAL STORYTELLING AND JOURNALISM
Istamov Mirjahon Mo‘minjon ogli
Bahronov Shahzodjon Vahobjon ogli
Isoqov Diyorbek Dilshod ogli
Annotation.
This article analyzes the positive and ethical approaches of
deepfake technology, one of the modern technological achievements, in the fields of
digital storytelling and journalism. Although deepfake is often recognized as a tool for
spreading misinformation, there are scientific views on its potential applications in a
positive and ethically justifiable manner. The article specifically explores positive
aspects such as bringing historical figures to life, creating immersive stories, and
protecting anonymous journalists. It also addresses ethical issues related to information
reliability, the concept of consent, the right to privacy, and visual manipulation. Based
on advanced examples developed using deepfake technology, platform experiences,
and international legal regulations, useful recommendations for the future are
presented. The article aims to demonstrate the alignment of ethical criteria and
journalistic standards in directing the capabilities of artificial intelligence towards
positive purposes.
Keywords:
Deepfake, digital storytelling, journalism, artificial intelligence,
ethics, ethical use, visual manipulation, immersive experience.
Deepfake technology, as one of the most complex and impactful tools created
based on artificial intelligence (AI), is being used in many fields – both positively and
negatively. It simulates a person's face, movements, and even voice through video and
audio content created with generative adversarial networks (GAN). Although it was
initially associated more with misinformation, political manipulation, or pornographic
content, in recent years, deepfake has also gained opportunities for use in positive and
ethical contexts.
ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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This article examines the opportunities, advantages, and limitations of ethically
using deepfake technology in the fields of digital storytelling and journalism. It also
discusses the social, ethical, and legal issues of this technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various aspects of human life and
introduced transformative changes in many fields. At the same time, it has also brought
about new problems and threats, one of the most notable being deepfakes. 'Deepfakes'
or 'synthetic media' refer to the use of manipulated digital content, such as hyper-
realistic synthetic videos, audios, images, or texts created using advanced AI
techniques to disrupt decision-making processes. The main epistemic threat is that
deepfakes can easily lead people to false beliefs. This technology can produce
information to such a degree that it is almost indistinguishable from real material. It
affects public opinion, social groups, political discourse, and operations aimed at
personal and national security.
The complexity and spread of deepfakes has primarily increased due to
advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. These advanced tools can
create hyper-realistically manipulated videos or audio recordings, which are almost
indistinguishable from the original content. The growing prevalence of deepfakes may
be associated with factors such as increased media coverage, rising public awareness,
and potential misuse in areas like entertainment, politics, and even personal blackmail.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for technologies and strategies to detect and mitigate
deepfakes to ensure the integrity of digital content. A cursory analysis of search terms
related to deepfakes highlights concerning attention towards tools that facilitate their
production. Google Trends shows a consistent global increase in searches for the term
'deepfake' starting from 2023.
Google Trends data on 'deepfake' since 2020. Interest in deepfakes has been
increasing year by year.
Perspective gaps within TPP (self-awareness and differences in others'
perception) are more evident among those with high cognitive abilities. Such
individuals tend to trust more, even though deepfakes can significantly mislead others,
ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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they have a higher capability to detect these manipulations. The results indicate that
individuals with high cognitive abilities, especially those who frequently encounter
deepfakes, are well-equipped to differentiate them and apply this perception in their
real-world assessments.
1. Chesney and Citron (2019) found that deepfakes exacerbate the problem of
misinformation in public discourse. They enhance the phenomenon of "fake news" by
producing highly realistic yet deceptive audio and video content. Such content can
undermine the credibility of debate participants and distort the factual underpinnings
of political discussions. Deepfakes can also erode trust in both public and private
institutions. Elected officials, judges, agencies, and others can be targeted, making it
increasingly difficult to refute false and harmful content. This could intensify
polarization in society and diminish trust in key institutions.
2. Kondamudi and others. (2023) discuss various aspects of fake news on social
networks. The impact of deepfakes on public opinion, political discourse, and personal
safety has not been directly addressed on social networks. The research should examine
current strategies to combat deepfakes or how to address these gaps.
3. Lollia (2023) highlights the impact of deepfakes on social opinion, political
discourse, and personal safety on social media platforms. Deepfakes pose a significant
threat to social security. As seen in the 2016 US elections, they can be weaponized for
spreading misinformation and manipulating public sentiment. Additionally, deepfakes
can be created to fabricate scandals, damaging individuals' reputations and invading
their personal lives. The rapid spread of these videos on social platforms brings
attention to their potential consequences.
1
Principles of Deepfake Technology
Deepfake technology is based on GAN (Generative Adversarial Networks)
algorithms.
These algorithms consist of two main parts: the generator and the discriminator.
1
Chesney, R., & Citron, D. Deep Fakes: A Looming Challenge for Privacy, Democracy, and National Security. California Law
Review.2023
ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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The generator creates new images, while the discriminator tries to determine
whether they are real or fake. These two systems improve their ability to create realistic
images through competition.
The mechanism of deepfake operation mainly involves the following:
• Face detection and synchronization – the video is analyzed and movements are
adjusted.
• Synthesis – another face is synthesized onto the target person's face.
• Final editing – sound, background, and movements are harmonized.
One of the most important factors in ethical use is consent. It is morally
unacceptable to adapt someone's face or voice to another context without their
permission.
Deepfake technology can manipulate forms of intangible assets such as visual
identity, personal likeness, and voice. This poses a threat to information security,
personal freedom, and social trust.
The positive use of 'deepfakes' is based on transparency. This implies that users
must clearly know that the video has been generated.
In digital storytelling, creating interactive videos in which historical figures,
such as Abraham Lincoln, Leonardo da Vinci, or Babur, speak through deepfake
technology allows for teaching history to younger generations in a deeper and more
interesting way.
Using MyHeritage's 'Deep Nostalgia' service, people establish emotional
connections by animating photos of their deceased loved ones.
Deepfake can also be used to visualize events related to individuals undergoing
therapy for depression and mental issues. By reenacting events that occurred in
Afghanistan, journalists conveyed the story in an immersive and understandable
manner.
Ensuring anonymity, journalists operating in authoritarian regimes use deepfake
to conceal their faces.
ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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News in China is presented 24/7 in multiple languages through AI news readers
developed by the Xinhua agency.
When misused, deepfake technology can lead to misinformation, political
manipulation, and personal rights violations in society.
The phenomenon known as 'Liar’s Dividend' arises as digital deceit increases,
causing even real videos to be denied.
Deepfakes directly affect the consciousness of the younger generation,
highlighting the need to develop media literacy in education.
The European Union, UNESCO, and the UN have developed legislation and
recommendations for ethical deepfakes.
Google and Microsoft are creating 'deepfake detector' projects to analyze visual
content.
It is essential to educate students about the positive and negative aspects of AI
and deepfakes.
This will enhance their ability to make conscious decisions.
2
Deepfake technology is recognized as one of the most serious challenges of the
modern information space. Its main danger lies in its ability to create content that
appears trustworthy but is actually false. This poses a threat to social, political, and
economic stability on one hand, and increases the need for information verification on
the other hand. Analyses show that deepfake technology is spreading most through
social networks. Algorithmic recommendations and systems that display videos based
on user activity accelerate this process.
For example, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, deepfake content garners
more attention and comments, leading to its popularization. Additionally, the low level
of technological literacy in society and insufficient media literacy further intensify the
threats posed by deepfakes. Research shows that most users do not use fact-checking
tools. Therefore, educating information consumers and developing media literacy is
2
Westerlund, M. (2019). The Emergence of Deepfake Technology: A Review. Technology Innovation Management Review.
ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ
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also crucial in the fight against deepfakes. Another important aspect is that the deepfake
technology itself is a neutral tool and its use for good or bad purposes depends on
humans. For example, it can be positively used in the film industry to restore the young
appearance of famous actors or to bring historical figures to life. Hence, there is a need
for regulation of this technology and the development of ethical standards.
In conclusion, although the Deepfake technology was initially viewed as a threat,
it can also play an important role in many fields that provide positive, ethical, and social
benefits. The ethical use of this technology in historical storytelling, journalism,
psychotherapy, education, and culture should be based on ethical principles and
permissions. Additionally, it is crucial to have regulatory frameworks from legal and
technical perspectives, and to rely on the conscious choices of users.
References
1. Chesney, R., & Citron, D. Deep Fakes: A Looming Challenge for Privacy,
Democracy, and National Security. California Law Review. 2023
2. The Conversation. (2019). The ethics of deepfakes.
3. Vincent, J. (2020). MyHeritage’s deepfake tool animates old photos. The Verge.
4. Hao, K. (2020). How deepfakes are used for good. MIT Technology Review.
5. Westerlund, M. (2019). The Emergence of Deepfake Technology: A Review.
Technology Innovation Management Review.
6. Zellers, R., Holtzman, A., et al. (2019). Defending Against Neural Fake News.
NeurIPS.
