AI-generated videos

A tool to improve communication or deepfakes popularized?

Like the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. How about a video?

The 2024 United States Presidential Election cycle has just kicked-off and I am writing to you the day after the Iowa “First in the Nation” Caucus. Well educated and engaged voters are crucial to democracy. What criteria are you using to trust the information that you receive?

The video below is an example of what one can do, in a few minutes, from a notebook computer, at almost no cost. It includes a real video, followed by an avatar reading a text in English, Portuguese, and Japanese.

You can find the article, from which the avatar was reading a quote from, here.

And here are a few best practices when navigating the current information landscape:

• Check the Source's Credibility: Look into the reputation of the publication or website. Trusted sources usually have a long history of reliability and a commitment to factual reporting. Check if the source is recognized for its journalistic standards.

• Verify with Multiple Sources: Don't rely on a single source for your news. Look for the same story from several reputable outlets. If multiple credible sources report the same thing, it's more likely to be true.

• Look for Evidence and Citations: Trustworthy news stories often include verifiable evidence, such as data, quotes from experts, and references to research or official reports. Be wary of claims that lack this backing.

• Be Aware of Bias: Every source has some form of bias. Recognize the bias in the sources you're reading and seek out a variety of perspectives to get a more balanced view.

• Analyze the Writing Style: Reliable news is typically presented in a clear, factual, and unbiased manner. Be cautious of sensationalist language, emotional appeals, or opinions presented as facts.

You can find the article from which the avatar was reading from here.

What techniques do you use to validate your sources?