Deepfakes: PM Modi urges media vigilance and education

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged the use of artificial intelligence for creating deepfakes saying this can lead to a big crisis, as he urged the media to spread awareness about its misuse and impact to educate people.

Addressing the media at BJP's 'Diwali Milan' programme at the party's headquarters here, he said he recently saw a video of him singing in a garba festival even though he has not done so since school days. Even those who love him are forwarding the video, he said in a lighter vein.

In a diverse society like ours, deepfakes can cause a big crisis and even stoke the fire of disaffection in the society as people generally trust anything associated with the media in the same way anyone clad in "gedua" (saffron) tends to get respect from others.

"A new crisis is emerging due to deepfakes produced through artificial intelligence. There is a very big section of society which does not have a parallel verification system," the prime minister told journalists at the programme where he aired views about a few things and sought their support to raise awareness.

Deepfake videos are synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness.

The prime minister noted that earlier a movie with some controversial comments would come and go, but now it goes on to become a big issue. Even screening of such films becomes difficult on the ground that they have disrespected some section of society irrespective of the huge amount of money spent on making them, he noted.

Modi suggested that as products like cigarettes come with health warnings, deepfakes too should carry disclosures.

Referring to his resolve for 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) by 2047, the prime minister said these are not merely words but a ground reality.

He suggested the 'vocal for local' campaign has found people's support, noting that a business of around Rs 4.5 lakh crore has taken place in the Diwali week, including those related to Chhath.

India's achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic created confidence among people that the country is not going to stop now, he said, adding that about 130 countries attended a Global South summit hosted by India which he addressed before attending the 'Diwali Milan' programme.

A time comes in the life of a nation which can launch it to a higher trajectory and this is what is happening to India, he asserted, urging the media to give strength to the programme for making the country developed by highlighting the country's strengths without resorting to any untruth.

Ideas related to developed India and economy are going to be at the centre of discourse for the next 25 years, and people are accepting the way the country has been progressing, he said.

This era is leading to India becoming a grander country, he said.

With people, especially those from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, celebrating 'Chhath' in different parts of the country, he said it is good that it is now being observed in different parts of the country. The rise of electronic media has seen festivals like Durga Puja and Navratri going global, he said.

With the BJP hosting the 'Diwali Milan' for the first time in the last several years, the prime minister said a total disappearance of the COVID-19 was visible in the festive joy of people this time.

Noting that relatively young journalists have fallen to not only the virus but other diseases as well, he emphasised on having regular health check-ups for them saying they also lead a tense and busy life like politicians.