Can You Tell the Difference? The Advanced Technology of Deepfakes

Latha Reddy, the former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, has expressed concerns about the increasing sophistication of deepfakes, making it challenging for even experts to differentiate them from authentic videos.

Asked about artificial intelligence and deep fakes, Reddy said that people need to be careful when using artificial intelligence, it has some ethical boundaries that should not be crossed. The former NSA deputy said he has been an ardent advocate of how ethics should be combined with technology.

In an interview with ANI, Latha Reddy said, “Well, I think it’s very difficult because the deep fake technology is now developing to such an extent that even for an expert it’s very, very difficult to distinguish what’s really a deep fake and what’s. And that’s why I think that we are right and one thing I would like to see in the use of artificial intelligence is that we have to be very careful because there are some ethical lines that should not be crossed in the use of artificial intelligence intelligence and sometimes you know in science and technology we are so enamored with what we have created of magic that we don’t necessarily think about the human consequences of what we do.”

Recently, Prime Minister Modi urged people to be cautious due to the growing threat of artificial intelligence in creating “deepfakes” and said he was surprised to see a fake video of him performing garba.

Prime Minister Modi said that there is a challenge due to artificial intelligence and deep counterfeiting. “Much of our country does not have a parallel alternative to authentication. People often end up believing deep fakes and this can cause chaos and unrest in the society,” he said at the Diwali Milan program held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

Speaking about the digital stack, Latha Reddy expressed her pride that the digital stack was being used for digital public infrastructure and essentially improving people’s lives. He expressed his hope that the spirit of innovation and leapfrogging technologies will continue to flourish in India.

Latha Reddy said, “Well, first of all, I’m very proud of it because you know, I’m from Bangalore and it’s my hometown. And Mr. Nandan Nilekani and his team are all very good friends of mine. And I’m so proud that in our city and in India this , the entire digital stack used for digital public infrastructure and fundamentally improving people’s lives.”

He said, “You know by so many measures and we’ve seen plenty of evidence of that over the years, the last few years anyway, so I can only hope that the spirit of innovation, the spirit of leapfrogging technology, continues to flourish in India and that this really keeps us at the forefront of innovation.”

Asked about India as the voice of the global south, Reddy said, “I think, you know, you really have to go back a little bit in history on this. The founding of the Non-Aligned Movement. And actually the very founding fathers of our nation who always stood for international peace, for equality between nations. And really just on this basis we felt that every country should be equally important, so it is natural that today India is also seen as a representative of the Global South.

“And I personally feel that if India takes the lead in this role, we have a good chance of achieving unity in the Global South. But we cannot do it alone. You know, we need other leading countries in the Global South, we also need to listen to the voice of the smallest people. And we need to recognize , that their needs are in many ways far more important and urgent than ours.”

Speaking on 26.11. Regarding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Reddy recalled that he served as India’s ambassador in Bangkok at the time. He said that a group of protestors blocked the Thai airport in Bangkok at that time and that on the other hand he faced a double disadvantage, he also responded to inquiries from Indians and Thais about the events in Mumbai and coping with the crisis of 10,000 people. 15,000 Indians stranded at the airport.

Latha Reddy recalled the Mumbai attacks: “Well, when 26/11 happened in Bombay, it happened, I wasn’t in India. I was actually in Bangkok as ambassador. And it was an interesting day because not only did we have a terrible shock when we heard about what happened in Bombay, but at the same time we also got Thailand the closing of the airport by protesters. And I also dealt with the crisis of 15,000 to 10,000 Indians stuck there every day, tourists, basically. And how to take care of them, how to take care of them.”

He went on to say, “So on the one hand, we were shocked by what happened in Mumbai, following those events frantically and also responding to inquiries from concerned Thais and Indians about what happened in Bombay. And at the same time, coping with this, so for me, that day will always stick in my mind, if I can use this term, as a double whammy.”

On November 26, 2008, Mumbai witnessed several terrorist attacks. As many as 166 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and more than 300 people were injured.

Speaking about India’s fight against terrorism, Latha Reddy stated that New Delhi has always demanded an international treaty on terrorism. He even called for a universal commitment to eradicate terrorism from this world. He thought it was a great pity that the international community has not reached a consensus or defined what a terrorist is.

Latha Reddy said, “Well, as far as India is concerned, we have always demanded a convention on international terrorism. It is very unfortunate that due to technical reasons like not being able to agree or define what a terrorist is.” You know, the usual argument about one man’s freedom fighter and the other’s a terrorist.”

“We have never reached an international agreement on that. I sincerely hope and pray that one day we can, because unless there is a universal commitment to eradicating terrorism from this world, it will not happen. And you are always going to have bad actors who are going to indulge in acts of terrorism,” he added .