deepfake

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/ˈdipˌfeɪk/
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Realistic digital media made or altered by artificial intelligence so that a false event or identity appears genuine.
Practice using deepfake in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Although deepfake has creative uses, it can also support fraud and harassment.
  • The court rejected the recording after experts identified it as a deepfake.
  • Someone had deepfaked her face onto a video without her consent.
  • He refused to deepfake the candidate because viewers might mistake the result for real footage.
  • Not every edited video is a deepfake, because the term usually implies a realistic false portrayal.

Similar words

AI-manipulate
fake recording
synthetic media
synthetically alter
digital forgery
synthetic media technology
fabricate
AI manipulation
digitally impersonate
face-swapping technology

Meanings

A realistic false recording

noun
technology
neutral
An image, video, or audio recording made or altered with artificial intelligence so that someone appears to do or say something that did not happen.

Examples

  • The clip looked genuine, but investigators proved it was a deepfake.
  • A convincing deepfake of the actor spread across social media overnight.
  • Could this voice message be a deepfake?
  • The court rejected the recording after experts identified it as a deepfake.
  • Not every edited video is a deepfake, because the term usually implies a realistic false portrayal.

Similar words

synthetic media
AI-generated forgery
digital forgery
fake recording
manipulated media

The technology and technique

noun
technology
neutral
The technique or technology used to produce realistic false images, video, or audio with artificial intelligence.

Examples

  • The documentary explains how deepfake can copy a person's voice and facial movements.
  • New software can detect signs of deepfake in uploaded videos.
  • The campaign trained staff to recognize deepfake before sharing political clips.
  • Researchers are studying whether watermarks can limit harmful deepfake.
  • Although deepfake has creative uses, it can also support fraud and harassment.

Similar words

synthetic media technology
AI manipulation
digital manipulation
face-swapping technology

Create false media with AI

verb
technology
neutral
To use artificial intelligence to put a person's face, voice, or actions into false digital media that appears real.

Examples

  • Scammers deepfaked the executive's voice to request an urgent transfer.
  • Someone had deepfaked her face onto a video without her consent.
  • Can criminals deepfake a live video call?
  • The studio deepfaked the actor to make the character appear younger.
  • He refused to deepfake the candidate because viewers might mistake the result for real footage.

Similar words

digitally impersonate
synthetically alter
AI-manipulate
fabricate

Etymology

Formed from deep learning, the artificial-intelligence method used to make the media, and fake. Merriam-Webster records its first known use in 2018.

FAQ

What does deepfake mean?

A deepfake is realistic false digital media made or altered with artificial intelligence, especially to imitate a person's face or voice.

Can deepfake be a verb?

Yes. To deepfake someone is to use artificial intelligence to place their face, voice, or actions into false media that appears real.

Is every edited video a deepfake?

No. A deepfake usually uses artificial intelligence to create a convincing false portrayal, not merely an obvious cut, filter, or correction.

Are deepfakes always harmful?

No. They can be used in entertainment and art, but deceptive uses can enable fraud, harassment, false information, and non-consensual sexual images.

Where does deepfake come from?

Deepfake combines deep learning, the AI method behind the technique, with fake. Merriam-Webster records use from 2018.

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