// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Deepfake
Deepfakes are fake images, audio, or videos created using advanced artificial intelligence that look or sound very real, often used to spread misinformation or impersonate individuals. They can make it seem like someone said or did something they never did.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Deepfakes refer to synthetic media artifacts, including fabricated video, audio, or images, generated via deep learning neural networks such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) or autoencoders, designed to mimic or manipulate reality for disinformation, psychological operations (PSYOPs), or identity deception within electronic and cyber warfare landscapes.
BACKGROUND
Deepfakes are images, videos, or audio that have been edited or generated using artificial intelligence, AI-based tools or audio-video editing software. They may depict real or fictional people and are considered a form of synthetic media, that is media that is usually created by artificial intelligence systems by combining various media elements into a new media artifact.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Synthetic media
- AI-generated fake
- AI manipulation
- Fabricated media
- Manipulated media
- Synthetic content
USAGE NOTE
In military and defense, deepfakes pose significant challenges for information warfare, intelligence gathering, and national security, often employed in influence operations or to sow discord and discredit adversaries.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Deepfake.
Initiates and funds advanced research and development for the U.S. military. They have launched programs like Media Forensics (MediFor) and Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) specifically to develop technologies for the automated detection, characterization, and attribution of manipulated media (deepfakes).
A major U.S. government contractor providing consulting, technology, and engineering services. They develop and deploy AI-driven solutions, including those for disinformation detection and countering synthetic media (deepfakes) for national security and defense clients.
A prominent defense, intelligence, and health information technology provider. They leverage AI and machine learning to develop capabilities for information integrity, including the detection and analysis of deepfakes and manipulated media for government and military applications.
A federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) focusing on advanced technology development for national security. Their work in artificial intelligence, signal processing, and computer vision includes research and development of robust deepfake detection and media authentication technologies for defense applications.
An independent nonprofit research institute that conducts client-sponsored research and development for government and industry. They have long-standing expertise in AI, computer vision, and machine learning, applying these capabilities to develop tools for media forensics and detecting sophisticated digital manipulation, including deepfakes, for defense and intelligence clients.
The primary scientific research and development center for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. AFRL conducts research in areas like information warfare, AI, and cybersecurity, including developing capabilities for detecting, analyzing, and mitigating the impact of deepfakes and other forms of adversarial media manipulation on national security.
An applied science and technology development company that manages FFRDCs and performs contract research for federal agencies. They develop advanced technologies in areas such as national security, cybersecurity, and information sciences, including solutions for identifying and authenticating digital media to combat deepfakes and disinformation threats for defense clients.