The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim How did a viral deepfake stoke tensions between India and Pakistan?
Dec 10, 2025
Join Gul Bukhari, a British-Pakistani journalist and human rights activist, as she dives into the complex relationship between Pakistan’s military and its politics. She discusses the implications of recent constitutional changes that empower the army chief. The conversation also highlights a controversial deepfake incident involving Yalda, illustrating the dangers of misinformation. Bukhari sheds light on Pakistan's 'hybrid' governance and the challenges of accountability, while the hosts explore the broader media landscape and the impact of AI on truth.
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Deepfake of Yalda Went Viral
- Yalda Hakim discovered a viral deepfake of her interview that perfectly lip-synced her cadence and words.
- The fake clip spread millions of times and mainstream outlets and officials reacted before she could debunk it.
Deepfakes Can Drive Real Geopolitical Fallout
- The deepfake triggered official responses in Pakistan and headlines in India despite being false.
- Yalda warned that once such AI-created lies spread, even on-air denials struggle to stop their momentum.
Use Personal Cases To Expose Disinformation
- Challenge claims by showing concrete personal examples of harm caused by disinformation.
- Press interlocutors to confront how platforms and social media enable dangerous falsehoods.