Amit Shah's 'doctored' video illustrates risks to elections from deepfake

A doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, doing rounds on social media, has once again put the spotlight on the dangers of AI-powered deepfake technology.

In the video shared by several opposition leaders, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Shah appears to be promising an end to reservations if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power.

In the original speech made at a rally in Telangana, Shah had said the BJP would scrap the 4% reservation for Muslims that is in place in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The saffron party's stated position has been that religion-based reservations are 'unconstitutional'.

However, the video being circulated online was allegedly altered using deepfake technology to make it seem like Shah was calling for an end to all reservations, including that for SCs and STs.

Cases registered in several parts of the country cited the "tampered" video "spreading misleading information" with the intent of "promoting enmity" between communities.

Delhi Police has summoned the Telangana CM, while Congress and AAP workers have been arrested in Gujarat and Assam. Police are trying to trace the original creator of the video.

The doctored video, that has created anxiety among SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes, demonstrates how AI can be used to spread misinformation among the masses, and manipulate public opinion. 

Remember, this election season also saw deepfake videos of Bollywood stars like Amir Khan and Ranveer Singh endorsing or criticizing political parties.

Political manipulation is just another danger posed by deepfake technology, that has already been red flagged for spreading misinformation in the financial and health sectors, and for defamation through objectionable clips.

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