Weaponized AI in Diplomacy: How Deepfakes Undermine Alliances and Shape Global Perceptions
- Shariful Islam
- Dec 2, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: May 17
by Shariful Islam
Imagine waking up to a video going viral of a world leader giving a scary ultimatum. After just a few hours, officials rush to find out that the video was a deepfake. This technology, which uses AI-powered facial recognition to convincingly replicate someone’s face, voice and movements, is not merely a tool; it is increasingly being used as a weapon by those who aim to destabilize global alliances and manipulate public opinion. This is what the emerging reality of AI-driven fake news is starting to look like. Deepfakes, once dismissed as mere social media curiosities, have evolved into powerful tools capable of shaping perceptions worldwide and even causing diplomatic crises. The use of deepfake technology is increasing in proportion to its accessibility. Now that deepfakes have moved beyond sole entertainment purposes, they impact everyone, not just diplomats. With its advanced machine learning algorithms, deepfake technology copies everything from facial expressions to speech patterns, making it hard for even seasoned watchers to tell the difference between real and fake. The deceptive nature of deepfakes comes from how real they seem. Their ability to deceive makes them attractive to actors seeking to manipulate public opinion or cause distrust between nations.
The political implications are serious. In 2022, there was a deepfake video going around of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling Ukrainian forces to give up. Deepfakes can in this way be used as psychological weapons to demoralize people and change political results, though this particular incident was quickly debunked¹. Imagine a fabricated video showing a G7 leader making hostile remarks toward a neighboring country. In a time of political tension, this kind of video could strain diplomatic relations and prompt escalation before the truth is revealed. According to the Observer Research Foundation², these examples show how deepfakes can mislead people and spread mistrust and make international relations even less stable.
Rising Risks and Emerging Countermeasures
Deepfake technology has become widespread very quickly. According to recent research, deepfake incidents increased tenfold from 2022 to 2023. A Sumsub study from 2023³ states that 96% of deepfake content is used for entertainment or misinformation. However, a growing share is being used to influence the public sentiment and government choices, which increases the threat to international peace and security. Artificial intelligence (AI) advancement has made it easier to create deepfakes. This means that not only governments but also individuals and smaller groups can manipulate the media, which can be especially dangerous in politically sensitive areas. Initially, deepfakes appeared primarily in localized situations, such as small political scandals or misinformation within communities, but they have evolved into a global threat. As a result of the increasing threats posed by deepfakes, global leaders and technology companies are adopting measures to combat this new digital weapon.
To address the growing threat, several governments have implemented policy and strategies to fight deepfakes. The European Union with its digital services Act, is mandating tech companies to adopt detection technologies, flag manipulated content and disclose their effort to mitigate the spread of deepfake misinformation. A company or platform that does not comply with these measures will be subject to consequences. This serves as a significant step to build an environment of accountability and transparency⁴. Also as of 2023, new laws in the UK make it illegal to misuse deepfakes, especially when the goal is to harm people or nations⁵. Additionally, Tech companies are innovating detection tools aimed at finding manipulated content in real time. Platforms such as Google and Facebook are making investments in algorithms to detect altered content instantly. However, they face a constant ”cat-and-mouse” battle with ever evolving AI manipulation techniques. A coordinated global reaction is needed.
The dangers of deepfakes extend beyond diplomatic conflicts, exposing vulnerabilities in public and institutional trust. In Bangladesh, a deepfake video sparked political unrest, undermining democracy and eroding confidence in institutions and media. Non-state actors increasingly exploit this technology to manipulate narratives, fueling instability and distrust on a broader scale. Danielle Citron highlights the timing of deepfake releases, cautioning that their damage often becomes irreversible before verification is possible⁶. These risks demonstrate the urgent need for global cooperation, enhanced detection technologies, and strengthened frameworks to combat the growing exploitation of deepfakes in critical systems.
Empowering the Public Through Media Literacy
The most powerful defense against the proliferation of deepfakes is an informed populace, especially if that populace is in the habit of consuming public-facing media. There are popular programs like MisInfo Day at the University of Washington, which teaches the audience pertinent skills to assess online content. They participate in practical experience in identifying media manipulation signs, such as inconsistent lighting or audio that fails to sync. Increasing global awareness is another goal of the U.N. with educational initiatives such as the ”Deepfake and You” campaign that equips participants with skills and critical thinking abilities to identify and query deepfakes. By fostering media literacy, people are given the tools to question digital content and select information carefully, making it less likely that misinformation cascades across the globe.
The rising availability of deepfake technology will likely increase its effects on diplomacy and international security. Therefore, to address the deepfake risk requires a unified approach, leveraging expertise from government, the private sector and educators to build resilient systems against manipulation. In order to safeguard diplomacy in the digital era, it is necessary to enhance detection tools, implement meaningful policies, and encourage media literacy. Fighting this new common threat can range from insisting in public on media literacy initiatives and support for measures to regulate output. Given that misinformation can travel across the world in seconds, safeguarding the value of trust in the international arena has never been more crucial.
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