The term deepfake is a common term in recent years, it gained popularity particularly on social media platforms and in the technological discourse.
To most people when the term deepfake is brought up, they think of danger, lies and destruction. Truly, the dark side of deepfake technology has been revealed. There are videos of politicians who never said the things in the fake videos, there are fake pictures of blackmailing innocent persons and there is fake information viral like wild fire. Deepfake is a severe problem to veracity, credibility and reputation.
Nevertheless, similar to numerous potent instruments in life, deepfake in itself is not a completely bad thing. The actual issue is how human beings are utilizing it, the same knife that can be used in killing people can also be used to cooking. The deepfake technology is hazardous, but it can be used to do good as long as it is employed in a responsible and ethical manner.
There are good application of deepfake technology in education and learning. Consider the history classes, in which students will be able to watch and listen to actual videos of historical leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nelson Mandela or even some ancient philosophers speaking in their respective voices. This may make the process of learning more interesting and comprehensive particularly the young students who find it difficult to keep up with the lengthy text books. Such visual and interactive learning tools can be implemented where a majority of the students lose motivation in theoretical teaching, making education and knowledge retention more satisfactory.
Deepfake can also be applied in the movie and entertainment industry. Presently, film producers employ the same technology to reproduce younger actors or entire unfinished films in case of the death of an actor. The technology when applied with permission can assist in saving expenses and preserving legacies. This can create new possibilities in Nollywood and enable Nigerian filmmakers to compete on the international level.
The other application of deepfake that is beneficial is in language translation and communication. The Deepfake technology can be used to translate speech to other languages while preserving the facial expression and tone of the speaker. This can be of great use to a multilingual nation such as Nigeria. Suppose a government announcement has been given in English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin and the face and gestures of the speaker are the same. This may enhance communication, comprehension and inclusion, particularly in the rural locations.
Healthcare and therapy can be also taken care of by Deepfake. Researchers in some countries are looking at how this technology can be used to assist patients who experience memory loss or trauma. For example, people who lost their loved ones can seek emotional fulfillment through controlled digital recreations. Although this is one of the areas that should be addressed carefully, it demonstrates that deepfake can be employed to cure and not to harm. It is also applicable in the training of medical students in simulated environments imitating the real patients to enable doctors to achieve some experience without putting lives in jeopardy.
Deepfake technology can surprisingly assist in combating crime in the sphere of security and fraud prevention. Cybersecurity experts can create superior instruments to identify fake content by researching the creation of fake video and voice. This implies that the same technology that is employed to cheat on individuals can also be applied in saving them. Such systems can be used by Nigerian banks, government agencies and media houses in order to confirm information prior to its propagation.
Also, deepfake may be employed in artistic expression and creativity. Writers, artists, and content creators have an opportunity to experiment with narration. Consider a writer who brings his characters to life by means of realistic images or a poet who transforms verbal expressions into vivid online performances. This may make culture and creativity rich when applied openly and honestly.
Although there are these advantages, it is worthwhile to state that deepfake needs to be informed by powerful legislation, morals, and consciousness. Deepfake technology can be disastrous in a country like Nigeria where fake news has already led to tension and division among people. Consent must be respected. No face or voice of any one ought to be employed without permission. Social media, authorities and consumers need to collaborate to sensitize individuals on how to detect counterfeit information and penalize technology abusers.
Technology of deepfakes is like fire. When in the wrong hands it can burn lives, reputations and even countries. However, when in the right hands it can prepare food, provide warmth and usher in progress. Fear should not make us turn our backs on technology as Nigerians, or as citizens of the world in general. Rather we have to concentrate on responsible consumption, correct regulation and ethical restraint. Truth and purpose can help to transform even a harmful technology such as deepfake into good in the sphere of education, healthcare, creativity and development.