TED Talks Daily How a deepfake almost ruined my political career | Cara Hunter
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Dec 6, 2024 
Cara Hunter, a politician and victim of a deepfake scam, shares her harrowing experience just weeks before an election. She discusses the emotional toll of facing misinformation in her community and highlights the unique risks deepfakes pose, particularly to women in politics. Hunter advocates for responsible AI development, emphasizing the need for ethical technology to protect democracy and truth. She urges collaboration between society and technology to ensure that advancements serve the greater good, rather than undermine it.
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Deepfake Scandal
- Cara Hunter received a text message containing a deepfake video of herself engaging in pornographic activity during her grandmother's 90th birthday.
- This occurred just three weeks before her election, causing significant distress and spreading rapidly across her constituency.
Rapid Spread of Misinformation
- The deepfake video spread rapidly across Northern Ireland due to its small, close-knit community and the political context.
- The rumor's rapid dissemination and the "seeing is believing" mentality made the situation difficult for Hunter.
Misogyny and Technology
- This incident highlights the intersection of misogyny and technology misuse in politics.
- This combination could potentially influence democratic elections by damaging reputations and spreading misinformation.