Deepfake technology has many positive aspects, but alongside that, there are also many negative aspects. If, unfortunately, malicious individuals misuse this technology, it can cause extremely serious repercussions. In the article below, Mytour will explain in detail what Deepfake is and how it works.
1. What is Deepfake?
Deepfake (roughly translated as super fake) originates from the term 'deep learning'. Deep learning is a specialized branch of Machine Learning, which is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
With the significant rise of cloud computing and newly discovered solutions for handling and analyzing vast amounts of real-world data, computers can perform tasks beyond our imagination.
Deepfake applies this technology to synthesize human images and generate images or videos of things they have never done before or never existed.
2. How does Deepfake technology work?
Deep learning, the foundation of Deepfake methods, illustrates the modern applications of artificial neural networks (Artificial Neural Network) in large datasets. Artificial neural networks are not a new concept or technology, and at this point, they are still relatively primitive.
An artificial neural network mimics the learning process that occurs in the biological brain to some extent. As a person learns or reacts to the outside world, the connections between their brain cells will change.
They form circuits and logical structures, strengthening some connections and weakening others. When you become proficient at something, such as driving, these brain circuits will respond faster and more efficiently. The end result is that you become skilled in a field you previously thought you couldn't do.
Fundamentally, this also happens similarly with Deep learning systems. They will look at heaps of examples of something, some field, and gradually become more knowledgeable about that field.
In the case of Deepfake, the software will scan videos and portrait images of someone and transpose the face of this person onto another person in the video.
3. Deepfake Software
Some applications allow users to create deepfakes, with the most popular being FakeApp. However, currently the download link for the application has been removed. Users have now shifted to another application named DeepFaceLab, hosted on GitHub.
4. Creating Deepfakes
The next section below will provide you with an overview of the steps to create a deepfake.
Note: In this guide, Mytour offers you an overview of how to create deepfake technology and DOES NOT encourage you to use it to create copyrighted or illegal content.
The first step is to visit a website containing images of someone you want to 'swap' their face. The next step now is to use DeepFaceLab to create a deepfake.
Visit Github to download DeepFaceLab to your computer and install it.
After downloading and extracting DeepFaceLab, your task is to locate the folder named 'workspace'. This folder contains the models, source videos, and output.
DeepFaceLab operates with specific file names and locations, so the application can work with a variety of files. For example, the source file is always named 'data_src' and the destination file is named 'data_dst'.
Note: Unlike other applications, DeepFaceLab lacks a user interface. It simply presents a list of numbered files representing steps in the process. First, the source and destination videos are extracted as image files.
The next step is to run analysis, GPU-based training, where the artificial neural network learns what it needs about the faces in the 2 videos to build a model and create a new video, swapping faces of one individual onto another in the video.
5. The Dark Side of Deepfakes
As mentioned above, deepfakes have both positive and negative aspects, sparking much debate. Some countries around the world are implementing new laws to address the technology and its applications.
Malicious actors may exploit deepfakes to impersonate, swapping faces of individuals in videos, adult content with the faces of anyone, especially celebrities.
And as you can imagine, this could lead to serious consequences, repercussions in the future.
Thus, this article by Mytour provides insights into what Deepfake technology is and how it operates. Hopefully, this article has given you an overview of Deepfake technology. Additionally, if you have any questions or inquiries such as what Deepweb is, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below the article.