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You’ve Been Deepfaked

May 18, 2025
Samantha Cole, cofounder of 404 Media and reporter on deepfakes, joins Joanne Chew, an actress and visual artist from LA who has personally faced deepfake pornography. They discuss the emotional toll of having one's image manipulated and the challenges of reclaiming identity after such violations. The conversation dives into the ethics of AI technology, the complexities of proposed legislation, and the potential repercussions of censorship in the effort to combat deepfakes. It's a harrowing look at a pressing issue in our digital age.
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ANECDOTE

Joanne Chew's Deepfake Ordeal

  • Joanne Chew discovered over 400 deepfake pornographic videos of herself online created by an obsessed individual.
  • She experienced shock, rage, and ongoing harassment, highlighting the emotional toll of such abuse.
INSIGHT

AI Empowers Deepfake Creation

  • Generative AI has drastically lowered the skill barrier for creating deepfakes; now anyone can generate them with text prompts.
  • This democratization means even middle schoolers can produce convincing deepfake content on their phones.
ANECDOTE

Deepfake Used in Courtroom

  • A deepfake victim was artificially represented in court delivering a victim impact statement using AI.
  • The surreal scenario raised questions about authenticity and ethical boundaries in legal proceedings.
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