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In 2023, fake news and deep fakes were both rampant due to the noticeable influx of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Below are some AI tools that we observed were commonly used to mislead:
- ManyCam
ManyCam is a desktop software that can edit and manipulate video calls. It is an easy-to-use camera and live-streaming software that can produce live videos on streaming platforms, video conferencing applications and remote learning tools.
The software allows a user to upload a pre-recorded video, which he can adjust to fit the screen. The computer camera is replaced with the virtual camera of the ManyCam, which permits the pre-recorded video to be displayed on the receiver’s screen.
Further features on the software permit the user to erase the audio of the pre-recorded video, thus allowing him to talk and react to the receiver in real time.
An example of viral content created with this tool was verified by DUBAWA here.
- Prank Me Not
Prank Me Not allows users to clone people’s statuses and display pictures and conversations on Facebook, Messenger, and Twitter. Users can use AI tools to fabricate a social environment and conversation that never took place before.
It has a customisation screen feature that allows users to edit social media content such as comments, likes, events, etc. After that, users can click the “save” button to retain the contents that have been changed before posting them.
An example of a deepfake generated with this tool and fact-checked by DUBAWA can be seen here.
- Fodey
Fodey is used to generate fake stories in a newspaper. Users can do that by just filling out a section with the newspaper’s name, date, and headline to create any story they want to share.
Although direct links to the newspaper clippings do not work, users can easily download the blueprint of the newspaper and share them on their websites or blogs.
- Dall-E Mini
Dall-E Mini was adapted from OpenAI’s Dall-E. It can be used to create images via text prompts.
The AI tool has a vast collection of pictures combed from the internet. It can be used to create various images, including unrealistic ones.
An example of a deepfake that can be generated with this AI is the one fact-checked by DUBAWA here.
- Emkei Mailer
Emkei Mailer is used to create fake email messages. The AI tool can be used to fabricate an email address, send unauthentic emails, or make a screenshot of a fake email.
- Zao
Zao is used to recreate videos. It exploits and edits actual video clips, including scenes from famous movies.
The AI tool can be used to recapture the original scenes of a video to depict an unrelated narrative.
An example of a deepfake of this nature that DUBAWA verified can be seen here.
- Deepfakes Web
Deepfakes Web allows users to subject videos to digital manipulation. The video to be used has to be a high-resolution video to retain its image properties during edits.
AI tool users must carefully imitate the characters’ actions in the video they want to duplicate to avoid inconsistencies.
An example of a viral deep fake story generated with such a tool and verified by DUBAWA can be seen here.
- Wombo
Wombo is a lip-syncing software that transforms anyone into a singing image. Fifteen songs are available to software users, which they can choose from while imitating a character.
The app gained precedence ahead of Instagram reels, YouTube shorts and TikTok.
An example of this deepfake that DUBAWA fact-checked can be seen here.
- Reface
Reface, formerly known as Doublicat, is used to create a fun Graphic Interchange Format (GIF). A person must first capture and insert his image in a preferred GIF. It fits the person’s face in a GIF, however, depending on the individual’s facial symmetry and the type of GIF.
Reface can be a personalised GIF maker that can be used to create GIF memes to impress people.
- Lensa AI
Lensa AI differs from other AI that will just impress a person’s face with an entirely different image. It can create real-life photos of a person using a few selfie appearances.
It can make realistic portraits of a person in different styles, including fantasy models like superheroes.
- Tweetgen
Tweetgen generates fake tweets. It supports light, dim and dark themes. Users can duplicate every feature on a tweet, including dates, times, number of likes, retweets, usernames, and Twitter clients such as Twitter Web app, Twitter for iPhone, Android, etc.
- Break your news
Break your news generates fake breaking news on popular news channels. Users can use a picture, write a story headline and publish.
According to the software’s creators, it is intended for fun, humour and parody. And that has made the software a go-to to generate rather fake news content or narrative.
